Union: MindsEye studio Build A Rocket Boy used keyloggers, violating data protection laws

The studio behind MindsEye can’t seem to catch a break, as a group of Build A Rocket Boy employees has unionized to launch legal action against the company for allegedly breaching their privacy. According to employees, management installed surveillance software, including keyloggers, on their work systems and tracked their activity without their knowledge or consent. Some claim the software, known as Teramind, even recorded them at home.

These allegations have only escalated tensions at Build A Rocket Boy, which has already been marred by heavy criticism for a disappointing release followed by widespread layoffs. Members of the IWGB Game Workers Union are currently leading the case.

According to the union, Build A Rocket Boy installed Teramind on employee hardware without prior approval and used it to monitor keystrokes, record on-screen activity, and capture employee conversations via microphones.

IWGB representatives later stated that Teramind was removed from employee systems in March, following a collective grievance by 40 staff members against BARB. The current issue is that BARB’s management and leadership refuse to release or disclose the collected data, specify where it was stored, or explain why Teramind was installed on employee systems in the first place.

In a statement to the press (via Game Developer), the union said:

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 company’s security by recording individuals in their homes and without their consent.

Furthermore, IWGB members filed a separate claim against BARB on April 12, alleging that the company mishandled a redundancy process last summer, which resulted in the termination of 300 staff members. The union further clarified that the claim includes allegations of unlawful blacklisting, detriment, and failure to engage in collective consultations, and said it “could cost BARB millions” if successful.

An IWGB member and lead cinematic animator at BARB spoke about Build A Rocket Boy’s workplace culture, saying, “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.”