The Federal Trade Commission ordered Razer to reimburse more than $1. 1 million for its Razer Zephyr mask after alleging that the PC gaming accessories company falsely billed its futuristic “portable air purifier” as N95-grade respirators. In truth, the FTC claims that Zephyr brands haven’t even tested their product through the FDA or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Razer is best known for its sleek, futuristic, and luminescent gaming accessories, but at the height of COVID-19, the company specializing in RGB-backlit keyboards and headsets saw that it had compatibility to advance healthcare during a pandemic. Released in October 2021 after nearly a year of advertising on the web, the Razer Zephyr looked more like a cyberpunk cosplay accessory than a true “portable air purifier. “Still, the transparent dual-fan mask included 3 replaceable filters that were meant to work in combination as equivalents to existing N95-grade products.
The media approached the fitness accessory with a combination of anticipation and skepticism after the plans were revealed in January 2021, later considered the deadliest month of the pandemic in the United States. In the months leading up to its official launch, Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer, continuously posted on social media “linking the mask to the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19, making particular fitness claims, positioning the mask as a mask. “Reusable N95 and claiming that Razer was looking for a certification. . . [but] I knew they had never implemented such certification and were not seeking it,” according to the FTC’s complaint.
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To be eligible for N95 certification, filters will need to protect against at least 95% of ambient air debris between 0. 1 and 0. 3 micrometers in size, while offering superior filtration rates for larger debris. Although the cells of the COVID-19 virus are only 0. 1 micrometers or smaller, they are still attached to larger bodies, such as water molecules and other biological materials, and are therefore well locked through N95-rated masks and filters.
Razer consulted with a Singapore-based quality control corporation during Zephyr’s progression and wrote in emails that they intended to market the wearable as “N95 quality. “Subsequent reviews showed that Razer’s design only achieved around 83% particulate filtration power (PFE) when its enthusiasts were turned off, with an improvement of only 3% when enthusiasts were turned on. Still, the FTC documents state that the Razer Zephyr “has been tested at much lower levels” and “has consistently failed to achieve 95% PFE. “”The quality testing company even went so far as to warn against mentioning N95 classifications “as it is not applicable to this product and this claim can be confusing. “
Despite this, Razer went ahead with its marketing and introduced the Razer Zephyr in October 2021, amid a sharp rise in global COVID-19 rates due to the Delta variant. The mask and clear packs can be obtained online through limited releases. , as well as three physical locations in Seattle, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. A single mask and 3 sets of replacement clear shields sold for $99. 99, while a mask and 33 sets of clear shields sold for $149. 99. A single set of 10 clearance package prices are $29. 99 for its users. The company even announced plans to offer a “Pro” edition with voice amplification in early January 2022.
However, just a week later, Razer began reversing its N95-quality marketing for Zephyr, amid increasing scrutiny and criticism. The Pro edition never saw the light of day, and federal regulators eventually opened their official investigation into the situation. Due to refunds of more than $1. 1 million, Razer will have to pay a $100,000 civil penalty and is prohibited from making “COVID-related fitness misrepresentations or unsubstantiated fitness claims related to fitness protective equipment” in the future. All references to stylish and low-quality products The mask now appears to be removed from Razer’s official website.
Is this an honest and faith-smart attempt to create an advanced device for others who plan to wear masks in public in the long term, or is it a cash grab?Does he paint at all? PopSci wrote in its official review of January 2022. “These are all smart and fair questions to ask when a company with no background in the medical generation develops and temporarily launches an expensive kit. »
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