Local tech firm Razer announced on May 11 that the company will be setting up 20 vending machines dispensing surgical masks across Singapore.

Razer asks local companies to help sponsor vending machines & placements

A total of 16 of the vending machines will be set up at shopping malls under Frasers Property Retail, while the rest will be placed at JustCo co-working spaces.

A spokesperson from Frasers Property Retail told Mothership that the firm has partnered Razer as a venue sponsor for the surgical mask vending machines.

Razer has reached out to other local companies, rallying them to help sponsor the vending machines and placements for the vending machines in more locations.

Surgical masks from the vending machines can be collected for free with QR codes distributed via the Razer Pay app.

Users who want to redeem masks are required to be at least aged 16 and above, and need to register for Razer Pay, the company's mobile wallet app, to verify their identity.

During the beta testing period until June 1, 2020, the surgical masks will be free.

From June 2, users are required to pay for the masks, at a price to be disclosed later.

Sceptical about campaign

Several online commenters shared their views regarding Razer's campaign, with some supporting it while others remaining sceptical.

Those who were sceptical felt that the tech firm was collecting their private data or getting people to download the app for "a piece of face mask".

Former NMP Calvin Cheng also commented that it was "good marketing" by Razer.

In response to sceptics, Razer CEO Tan Min-Liang said that the requirement for verification via the Razer Pay app was to prevent fraud and ensure that there will not be a free-for-all for the masks.

"We aren't the government and have no access to the Identity Cards etc. We're funding this completely ourselves and would like to ensure there's no fraud," Tan shared.

However, some were still unsure about it.

Those who defended Razer's campaign said it was people's choice whether to take the mask or not, and that the method that Razer used would deter people from selling the masks at higher prices after collecting them.

Razer's spokesperson told Mothership that the initiative to set up mask vending machines was to complement other efforts that have been made by the government.

Companies that would like to take part in Razer's initiative may reach out to them on their website.

Top image via Razer