Is there data or a study that says that risks increase from using masks poorly? I’ve looked into the literature and everything I’ve seen says they are significantly protective in real-world use.

Wait, how? If it's on the mask wouldn't it be on the face if the mask wasn't there? What process puts viruses on masks but not faces?

The masks encourage a warm moist environment surrounding your nose and mouth.

If the mask becomes contaminated, it becomes an ideal vector for encouraging infection -- so if you touch the inside of the mask with your contaminated hands (say you move the mask to touch your face or adjust it or whatever), for example, the mask becomes the opposite of protective.

Masks are somewhat effective at reducing spread if the already-infected person is wearing the mask.

IMO the biggest problem is people "feel safe" with a mask on, they may not take other precautions.

Also my understanding is that a N95 mask that isn't properly worn (doesn't have a good seal) then it's nearly equivalent to no mask at all.

So you combine those two together and you have people who aren't effectively protected by the mask and are making riskier decisions.

Is this based on data or just a feeling you have?

I have read these comments often now and it's just something people make up to justify not being able to buy masks.

Which part of this is being made up? That improperly fitted mask isn't protective? That unless you very carefully handle a mask when taking it off, you'll transfer the contaminants from it onto your hands and/or face? That people compensate for risk[0]? That those masks are disposable and lose their protective power over short time (hours)?

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[0] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation

Yes. Do you have a study that shows that a mask that has not been fit tested either provides no protection or actually increases the overall risk to the wearer?

I have looked at a fair bit of research on masks lately, and everything I've seen is that they are significantly protective, and, for example, reduce your risk of catching SARS by about 70%.

Yes, if a mask doesn't fit properly, some air will come through the sides. Even in that case though, the mask is still filtering some air, and it's protecting you from touching your mouth or nose, and it's protecting you from droplets hitting your mouth or nose from being coughed or sneezed on.

The best practice is to not touch your face with your hands. Wearing a mask may increase the frequency you touch your face due to discomfort

Greater surface area, more hand-face contact, and risk compensation.