Workers at Build A Rocket Boy take action over data privacy violations from management

• Workers at Build A Rocket Boy (‘BARB’), led by members of the IWGB Game Workers Union, are initiating legal action over alleged data protection violations carried out by BARB using invasive surveillance software Teramind
• After 40 workers signed a collective grievance, management removed Teramind from employee devices last month, but workers are now demanding to know what data was collected, how it was stored, and why the software was installed in the first place
• Earlier this month the union filed a separate legal claim over BARB’s alleged mishandling of a redundancy process, which could cost the company millions
  

Tuesday 21 April 2026: Workers at games studio Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) have initiated legal proceedings against the company over concerns of data protection violations, after management installed invasive Teramind surveillance software onto their devices without their knowledge.

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.

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 programme tracks users’ key strokes, records screen activity and captures microphone audio.

In March, after more than 40 workers filed a collective grievance demanding its removal, BARB deinstalled the software from its employees’ devices. However, the company failed to meet the aggrieved workers’ other demands for transparency and accountability, refusing to explain what data was collected, how it was used and why the software was installed in the first place. Now, IWGB members are escalating the matter through ACAS and the Information Commissioner's Office.

On 12 April, the union filed separate legal claims on behalf of its members over BARB's alleged mishandling of a redundancy process that took place last summer. Following the poor sales performance and critical reception of its latest release, MindsEye, the studio made 300 staff members redundant. If successful, the legal claim, which includes allegations of unlawful blacklisting, detriment, and failure to engage in collective consultations, could cost BARB millions.

In an open letter from October 2025, IWGB members at BARB attributed MindsEye’s failure to Benzies and Gerhard’s poor management. Allegations against them included refusing to listen to their staff, excessive overtime, and escalating paranoia over the alleged presence of "internal saboteurs” amongst the company’s workforce, as expressed by Benzies and Gerhard in comments widely reported in the press.  

Benzies is also facing allegations of sexual assault after being named in the Epstein Files by Sarah Ransome, allegations he firmly denies. Following media reports that Benzies had stepped back from the company in response to this, workers report that he has returned to active duties.

Spring McParlin Jones, Chair of the IWGB Game Workers Branch, says: “We’ve all watched the spectacle of the bonfire that is  BARB – but there is a human cost behind the drama and financial mismanagement that often goes untold. Having borne the brunt of Mark and Leslie’s paranoia, these workers stood up for each other and stood up to bullies in management, forcing them to be accountable for their actions and get rid of Teramind. Now BARB must meet our demands for data transparency. Their alleged actions are a violation of their employees' rights to privacy.”

Chris Wilson, IWGB member and Lead Cinematic Animator at Build a Rocket Boy, says: “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. 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.”

For more information or interviews, please contact:Clara Hill (clarahill@iwgb.co.uk / +44 7472 70945)