Union workers take legal action against Build A Rocket Boy over alleged privacy violations
A group of unionized Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) employees have initiated legal proceedings against the studio over allegations of data privacy violations related to the installation of surveillance software on work devices.
Members of IWGB Game Workers Union are leading the charge and claim BARB management refused to be transparent about what data was collected after installing surveillance software called Teramind onto employee hardware.
In a statement sent to press, IWGB representatives said Teramind was removed from employee devices in March after 40 workers signed a collective grievance against the company. Now, BARB leaders have been accused of refusing to disclose what data was collected, how it was stored, and why Teramind was installed in the first place.
IWGB described the installation of the software as "invasive" and said the decision was taken without employee consent.
"The IWGB Game Workers Union, representing the workers, alleges that BARB's use of the software violates both data protection laws and the workforce's basic dignity, exceeding the legitimate remit of monitoring workers' productivity or safeguarding the companys security by recording individuals in their homes and without their consent," said the union.
"In an internal meeting which was leaked to the press, bosses Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies confirmed that the software Teramind had been installed without workers' knowledge. The program tracks users key strokes, records screen activity and captures microphone audio."
IWGB union members filed separate legal claims against the studio on April 12 alleging the company mishandled a redundancy process that took place last summer and resulted in around 300 employees being jettisoned.
The union explained that claim includes allegations of unlawful blacklisting, detriment, and failure to engage in collective consultations and "could cost BARB millions" if successful.
IWGB members at BARB previously accused studio leadership of corrosive mismanagement in an open letter published in October 2025.
BARB lead cinematic animator and IWGB member, Chris Wilson, said the studio's culture is one of the worst he's ever experienced.
"Build A Rocket Boy's toxic culture of secrecy and micromanaging is one of the worst I've seen in a 20 year career in the gaming industry," added Wilson.
"While they have conceded to our headline demand of removing Teramind from our devices, many questions still remain about their actions. It can only be assumed this software was added as a part of their effort to micromanage us, a product of their mistrust of their employees. It created an atmosphere of unease, something that doesn't lead to great video game production."
Today's news comes shortly after BARB announced an undisclosed number of layoffs while touting allegations of "corporate sabotage."
Game Developer has reached out to BARB for comment.
