Razer is in hot water with the FTC this week after the regulator proposed a settlement that would have Razer refund all purchases to customers who bought its Zephyr mask. Initially launched as an alternative option to traditional face masks back in 2021, the Zephyr was a slick protective face covering that Razer claimed was N95-certified. An N95 mask filters out 95% of all particulates. It was a common recommendation by the CDC. As well as other government bodies around the globe during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The problem for Razer is that the Zephyr was not an N95-certified mask. Yet claims of this were all over its marketing material. Razer eventually removed any mentions of it being N95-certified. However, not until after it was pointed out by the press and social media. As The Verge notes, YouTube content creator Naomi Wu tore down the mask and found that it wasn’t an N95 mask or respirator. This prompted Razer to remove the N95 label from its marketing, but the damage was already done.
Now, more than two years later, the FTC is asking that Razer pay back the money it made from the sale of this product. The FTC alleges that Razer never submitted the mask for testing to the FDA or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
🧵@Razer has contacted me and told me they plan to remove N95 marketing from the Zephyr website.
Sorry but no- it’s past that.
Media outlets have labeled it an N95 mask, immune-compromised individuals and healthcare workers all over social media are calling it an N95 mask.
1/9 https://t.co/hUJLvIAuQ5— Naomi Wu 机械妖姬 (@RealSexyCyborg) January 10, 2022
The FTC is proposing that Razer refund more than $1.1 million to customers for Zephyr sales
The FTC’s proposed order isn’t necessarily a guarantee that consumers will get their money back. But by the sounds of it, there’s a good chance that if you bought one of these masks, you may see a full refund in the future. The FTC has ordered Razer to pay more than $1.1 million to provide full refunds to consumers nationwide. The Zephyr was $99.99 but Razer also offered a $149.99 bundle that came with 33 sets of filters. It also sold a 10-pack of filters for an additional $30.
So any combination of these purchases would fall under the requirements for a refund. Provided the masks were purchased directly from Razer and not from a second-hand reseller. For instance, customers who bought the mask from sellers on eBay likely aren’t entitled to a refund. In addition to the $1.1 million, the FTC is ordering Razer to pay around $100,00 in civil penalties.
The FTC says the vote to pass this order was 3-0 and was filed by the DOJ this week. There’s no mention of when a refund might come through. But keep an eye out for it if you bought one of the masks from Razer.