The FTC fined Razer $1.1 million for making false claims about its glowing ‘N95’ masks in relation to COVID.

The Federal Trade Commission levied a $1.1 million fine against Razer on Tuesday. The allegation asserts that the gaming accessory manufacturer deceived consumers by falsely asserting that its flashy Zephyr mask had obtained N95-grade certification.

“Amidst a global pandemic, these businesses deceitfully asserted that their face mask was as effective as a N95-certified respirator,” stated Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will persist in holding businesses responsible for employing deceptive and unsupported assertions to attract consumers who are deliberating on matters concerning their well-being and security.

Razer has predictably refuted the commission’s claims.

The company’s representative stated that they do not agree with the allegations made by the FTC and did not acknowledge any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. “We did not intend to deceive anyone, and we decided to resolve this issue in order to prevent the distraction and disturbance of legal action and maintain our concentration on developing excellent products for gamers.” Razer is committed to our community and constantly seeks to provide technology in innovative and meaningful ways.

The company further asserted that the complaint was selectively chosen, emphasizing that it made extra efforts to reimburse customers and discontinue the sales of the Zephyr.

The Razer Zephyr was designed to provide the community with a unique and innovative choice for a face-covering option. The Federal Trade Commission’s allegations against Razer were specifically focused on certain aspects of the statements made about the Zephyr. Razer informed customers over two years ago that the Zephyr was not a N95 mask, halted sales, and provided refunds to customers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is additionally imposing a formal prohibition on the sale of the mask and on making false or unsupported health claims related to COVID-19 and protective health equipment. The proposed order not only prohibits the defendants from making claims about the health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects of protective goods and services but also requires them to provide competent and reliable scientific evidence to support any claims they make.

The filing indicates that Razer deliberately misled consumers by creating the false impression that the $100 mask would provide protection against COVID. Undoubtedly, the virus was a prominent concern when the product was initially released in October 2021.

The order is presently pending approval and signature from a District Court judge.