The manufacturer of peripherals and accessories for gamers Razer is in the sights of an American institution because of a product released in 2021 and now withdrawn from sale.
Multinational companies are not necessarily devoid of humor. It’s just that on their scale, a simple joke can quickly take on gigantic proportions and have real repercussions. Sometimes it works very well. We remember, for example, Microsoft which promised the marketing of an Xbox Series X mini-fridge if it won the tweet of the year prize. The object became a reality some time later to the great pleasure of those who dreamed of it. Other stories like this end less well, however.
In January 2021, barely a year after the global COVID-19 pandemic having led to a massive lockdown, the manufacturer of PC peripherals and accessories for gamers Razer unveils an unusual object at CES in Las Vegas: a protective mask with integrated RGB LEDs. It seems like an early April Fool’s joke, but no. The marketing operation that some would describe as opportunistic is official and the Zephyr, that’s his name, is indeed coming out. As is often the case unfortunately, the scalpers have a field day and resell the mask at a high price. But that’s far from the only problem.
Razer’s “anti-COVID” RGB mask was not one
During the presentation of the Zephyr, Razer claims it has N95 filters. A regulated classification meaning thatit can filter at least 95% of airborne particles, including those that can contaminate a person with the COVID-19 virus. As you can imagine, this type of statement cannot be made lightly. It’s necessary have your product examined by specific institutions who will test it before saying whether or not the N95 designation is legitimate. Razer obviously never did it.
Read also – Razer unveils a reusable straw delivered with a cleaning kit, but without RGB
After several tests demonstrating that the mask filters are not as effective as advertised, the company discreetly erases the N95 mention from the Zephyr page on its sitebefore finally remove all traces of the product and remove it from sale. The firm even goes as far as edit the press release summarizing what it presented at CES 2021 so that we no longer see the anti-COVID mask. A behavior that sounds like an admission for Federal Trade Commission (FTC) American, which intends to obtain compensation.
Razer is ordered to reimburse those who purchased the Zephyr mask
The FTC didn’t like Razer’s handling of the situation, saying it didn’t “stopped false advertising only following negative media coverage and consumer outrage over misleading claims“. For the agency, the manufacturer should have submitted its product to the Food Drug Administration (FDA) or National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The latter also declared that the Zephyr mask did not “never been evaluated or approved” by him.
Razer and the FTC have reached an agreement, even if the brand wants to make it known that it is not guilty of everything of which it is accused. “We disagree with the FTC’s allegations and have admitted no wrongdoing […]. It was never our intention to mislead anyone, and we have chosen to settle this matter to avoid any distraction and disruption due to litigation and continue to focus on creating great products for gamers“.
Read also – Razer unveils non-slip finger guards for hardcore smartphone gamers
At any rate, the FTC ordered Razer to pay around 1 million euros. They will be used to refund everyone who purchased the Zephyr mask. To the sum are added a little less than €94,000 fineas well as a ban on the company making “false health claims related to COVID” and others “unsubstantiated health claims” until it receives FDA approval. Razer says it has refunded its customers “more than two years ago“, without specifying the number of people concerned or the way in which the operation took place.
Source: IGN