Razer's cyberpunk breathing mask was allegedly misleading
30.4.2024
Translation: machine translated
In the middle of the pandemic, Razer launched a respiratory mask and claimed that it complied with the N95 standard. According to a US authority, this was a lie. Razer has therefore been ordered to give customers their money back and pay a fine.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants to order Razer to pay compensation totalling 1.1 million US dollars. The money is to go to customers of the "Zephyr" - a futuristic breathing mask with RGB, which the gaming brand sold for around 100 US dollars during the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, Razer promised that the mask would fulfil the N95 standard.
According to the FTC, however, the Zephyr lacked the necessary certificate. Razer had never had the mask tested by an authorised authority. The FTC is therefore accusing the manufacturer of making false advertising claims. "The company falsely claimed in the midst of a pandemic that its face mask was equivalent to an N95-certified respirator," says Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC. N95 masks must filter out at least 95 per cent of particles larger than 0.3 micrometres from the air we breathe.
The misleading specifications were only removed after criticism from the media and customers. YouTuber Naomi Wu, for example, accused Razer of fraud after she took the mask apart.
More than two years later, the case now has consequences for Razer. The FTC is threatening legal action and demanding that customers of the mask get their money back. In addition, the settlement provides for a fine of 100,000 US dollars and prohibits Razer from making "unsubstantiated medical claims" in future. The company itself has not yet commented on the case.
Header image: Razer
Samuel Buchmann
Senior Editor
Samuel.Buchmann@digitecgalaxus.chMy fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.