The US Federal Trade Commission has fined Razerfamous manufacturer of gaming peripherals, for more 1.1 million dollars. It is accused of deceiving customers about its Zephyr RGB face mask.
The FTC said the fine Razer must pay is part of a proposed settlement regarding a misrepresentation of the Zephyr RGB mask. The settlement signals that Razer would claim that its Zephyr mask used N95-grade filters. However, the agency claims that Razer never tested the mask and that the manufacturer “only stopped the false advertising following press criticism and consumer outrage over the misleading claims.”
“These companies falsely claimed, in the midst of a global pandemic, that their face mask was the equivalent of a certified N95 respirator,” said Sam Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will continue to hold accountable companies that use false and unsubstantiated claims to target consumers as they make decisions about their health and safety.”
The FTC also said Razer made misleading statements about the mask on social media and Zephyr pages. He said Razer never had its mask tested by the Food Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In an email, a NIOSH spokesperson told IGN USA that the Razer Zephyr “has not been evaluated or approved” by the agency.
Razer’s replica
Obviously Razer responded to the accusation and claims to have committed no wrongdoing.
Precisely, in one Razer statement stated, “We disagree with the FTC’s allegations and have not admitted any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. It was never our intent to mislead anyone and we chose to resolve this matter to avoid distraction and disruption of the process and continue to focus on creating great products for gamers. Razer cares deeply about our community and is always looking to deliver technology in new and relevant ways.”
A Razer spokesperson also told IGN USA via email that “more than two years ago, the company “stopped sales and refunded customers“, but did not give more specific details about who received the refund or how it notified customers of the possibility of receiving the refund.
As part of the FTC settlement, Razer will also have to pay a $100,000 civil penalty. The settlement also prohibits Razer from making “false COVID-related health claims” and other “unsubstantiated health claims” until it receives FDA approval.
