WASHINGTON-The Federal Trade Commission said two New York firms that claimed their devices blocked harmful radiation from cell phones and other electronic gadgets agreed to pay $85,000 to settle charges brought against them by U.S. officials.
Tecnozone International L.L.C. and Tecnozone America L.L.C. advertised that their product-costing $50-provided substantial protection from electromagnetic energy emitted from cell phones. The defendants, according to the FCC, also claimed the effectiveness of their devices was validated by studies at major European universities. The FTC alleged that the defendants’ claims were false and unsubstantiated.
In addition to monetary penalty, the settlement with the FTC prohibits the two companies from making any claims about a product’s ability to reduce exposure to, or prevent penetration of, electromagnetic energy unless the claims are true, and they have competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate such claims.
The settlement was filed in federal court in New York last Friday. The accord is subject to court approval.
