MindsEye studio staff sue over surveillance software
Staff at Build a Rocket Boy are suing management for secretly installing Teramind surveillance software that tracked keystrokes, screen activity and microphone audio in employees' homes without consent.
Build a Rocket Boy employees have initiated legal proceedings against management over alleged installation of surveillance software without consent, according to the IWGB Game Workers Union. The MindsEye studio staff claim Teramind software was used to track keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio, violating data protection laws and basic dignity.
Key Takeaways
- Build a Rocket Boy employees filed legal action over Teramind surveillance software installed without consent.
- The software tracked keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio from employee devices.
- 40 employees signed a collective grievance leading to the software's removal in March.
- This is the second legal action by IWGB against Build a Rocket Boy following previous layoffs.
- CEO Mark Gerhard claims organised espionage contributed to MindsEye's poor launch.
What is the surveillance software controversy about?
The legal action centres on Teramind, AI-powered software that the company describes as enabling "proactive protection against insider threats, data breaches, productivity inefficiencies, and compliance challenges". According to the union, this software was installed on employee hardware without their knowledge or consent, recording individuals in their homes.
The programme tracked users' keystrokes, recorded screen activity, and captured microphone audio. The IWGB Workers Union alleges this "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".
The software was removed from employee devices in March following a collective grievance signed by 40 employees. However, management has reportedly refused to disclose what data was collected, how it was stored, or the reason for its installation.
Management claims organised espionage
Build a Rocket Boy CEO Mark Gerhard has previously claimed that "organised espionage and corporate sabotage" were among the main reasons for MindsEye's poor launch. The game received the lowest Metacritic score of 2025 with ratings of 39 on PC and 28 on PS5.
In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Gerhard stated: "We've got very strong evidence of this and conducted quite thorough investigations over the months since launch. We've identified parties involved, and it's now with the authorities both UK and US to deal with."
Gerhard also claimed that an upcoming MindsEye update will add a new mission called Blacklist, which will supposedly provide evidence of these alleged acts.
Second legal action against the studio
This marks the second instance of the IWGB filing legal action against Build a Rocket Boy. The first was announced in October 2025, where the union accused the studio of "failure to carry out fair consultation ahead of redundancies as well as multiple cases of unfair dismissal".
The union estimated that "a UK majority of 250-300 workers across the company" had been laid off, part of broader industry-wide layoffs affecting gaming companies globally.
According to Game Developer and the IWGB Game Workers Union, internal meetings confirmed that bosses Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies acknowledged the Teramind software had been installed without workers' knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal action against MindsEye studio about?
Employees are suing Build a Rocket Boy management over alleged installation of invasive surveillance software called Teramind without consent. The union claims this violates data protection laws and basic dignity by recording employees in their homes.
What is Teramind software?
Teramind is AI-powered software designed for protection against insider threats and data breaches. It tracks keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio. The company installed it on employee hardware without their knowledge.
Who is Mark Gerhard?
Mark Gerhard is the CEO of Build a Rocket Boy who has claimed 'organised espionage and corporate sabotage' were among the main reasons for MindsEye's poor launch. He says authorities are investigating these allegations.
How many employees were affected?
At least 40 employees signed a collective grievance against the company regarding the surveillance software. This led to its removal from employee devices in March 2025.
Is this the first legal action against Build a Rocket Boy?
No, this is the second legal action by IWGB against the studio. The first was filed in October 2025 over unfair dismissals and consultation failures during layoffs affecting 250-300 workers.
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