Glasgow tribunal reveals Rockstar's two-year surveillance of union Discord server

Key points

• Rockstar HR director Charlie Kinloch allegedly received information from a 'mole' or junior employee regarding union activity from February 2024 to October 2025.
• The union claims Rockstar fired 34 staff to prevent them from reaching the 10% workforce threshold required for official union recognition under UK law.
• Rockstar argues the dismissals were for 'gross misconduct' due to the sharing of confidential information, including details about GTA 6's development and security measures.
• The tribunal heard that the union Discord server had approximately 340 members, with Rockstar gaining direct access to specific channels in October 2025.
• IWGB asserts that no confidential release dates or 'closely guarded secrets' were leaked, while Rockstar claims the server contained 'vituperative' and defamatory language against management.

Background

This dispute follows the October 2025 dismissal of 34 Rockstar employees, mostly based in the UK, which the IWGB characterized as an attempt to disrupt union organizing. Previous coverage noted that the union had reached the 10% recognition threshold shortly after the firings, and that supporters were urged to fund legal costs rather than boycott the upcoming GTA 6 release. The current tribunal in Glasgow represents the first major public exchange of evidence in this multi-month legal battle.

How outlets are covering it

Rockstar and Take-Two maintain that the firings were necessary to protect 'closely guarded secrets' and that the Discord server was a security risk, citing 'whistleblowers' who reported the platform's vulnerabilities. They argue that the server contained defamatory language and that management was 'largely in the dark' about its contents until October 2025. Conversely, the IWGB and the dismissed workers argue that the server was invite-only and verified through Rockstar's own Slack platform, and that no actual confidential information was leaked to the public. They contend that Rockstar's actions were a 'chilling effect' on union membership, which dropped from 390 to 261 within days of the firings. BBC and The Guardian report on the 'watch list' theory, where workers claim Rockstar monitored union members after a 2023 petition, while Rockstar's lawyers argue there was no direct link between the petition and the 2025 dismissals.

Why it matters

The outcome of this tribunal could set a precedent for union recognition in the UK gaming industry, particularly regarding the balance between corporate confidentiality and the right to organize. As GTA 6 prepares for its November 19 release, the legal battle highlights the tensions between major studios and their workforce, potentially influencing future labor relations in the sector. The case also raises questions about the legal boundaries of 'gross misconduct' in the context of internal workplace discussions and the use of 'whistleblowers' to monitor union activity.

What to watch

The employment tribunal in Glasgow is expected to continue for approximately six weeks, with testimony from Rockstar witnesses scheduled for October 2026. The IWGB is currently in talks with current Rockstar workers to secure official union recognition before the release of GTA 6. The court will need to determine whether the dismissals were a legitimate response to security breaches or an unlawful attempt to suppress union activity.