Human Rights
Ongoing coverage on Human Rights.
Latest coverage
EA's Saudi Arabian owners are reportedly considering forming an ubermegacorp by merging them with Savvy Games
Following the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts, the PIF is reportedly considering merging EA with its existing firm, Savvy Games Group. This potential 'ubermegacorp' aims to better coordinate the PIF's gaming investments, though no decision has been made. Concerns exist regarding potential layoffs and the influence of the Saudi government's human rights record on creative decisions.
EA employees brace for the worst under Saudi ownership: 'Hard to feel good about being bought out by a regime that's very much at odds with progressive society'
Employees at Electronic Arts are reportedly concerned about potential content restrictions following the company's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Despite reassurances, staff fear a crackdown on diverse and inclusive game content, with some citing concerns over human rights and the practice of sportswashing.
EA staff fear new Saudi Arabia owners will police their games: "Projects just won't get signed because they don't align explicitly with what the Saudi government wants"
Employees at Electronic Arts are concerned that the company's new owners, primarily Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will impose content restrictions based on the country's standards. Staff fear that projects may not be approved if they do not align with the Saudi government's views, particularly regarding social issues like LGBT representation, which is criminalized in Saudi Arabia. Despite reassurances from EA, employees find the responses unsatisfactory and worry about job security and creative freedom.
'I feel dirty:' EA workers trapped in a maelstrom of cynicism and doubt after Saudi buyout
Employees at Electronic Arts are expressing deep cynicism and doubt following the company's buyout by an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Despite assurances from EA leadership, workers fear the acquisition will lead to cultural changes, potential project cancellations, and layoffs, as well as concerns about the country's human rights record and the use of 'sportswashing' and 'pixelwashing' to launder its image.
EA is now a private company, with stakeholders that include Saudi's PIF and Affinity Partners
Electronic Arts has officially become a private company following a $55 billion buyout, with stakeholders including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners. This deal, the second largest in gaming history, has raised concerns regarding human rights and LGBTQ+ issues due to the nature of some investors. The future of EA's franchises and potential company restructuring remain uncertain.
The deal is done: Electronic Arts is now officially owned by Saudi Arabia
Electronic Arts has been officially acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal, valued at a significant sum, gives Saudi Arabia a 93.4% ownership stake. Concerns have been raised regarding the company's future support for inclusive games given Saudi Arabia's human rights record, while EA leadership emphasizes continued innovation and investment, including in AI.
EA expect their $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia and private equity firms to close next week, with "all regulatory approvals required" in place
Electronic Arts expects its $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners to close next week, with all required regulatory approvals in place. CEO Andrew Wilson is expected to remain in his position. Concerns have been raised by unions and lawmakers regarding transparency, worker rights, and the human rights record of Saudi Arabia.
EU Clears Saudi-Led $55 Billion EA Buyout, But The Deal Isn’t Done Yet
The European Union has approved the $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts by Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group. However, the deal is not yet finalized, and concerns remain regarding market control and human rights issues associated with the acquisition.
Summer Games Done Quick Cancels Sponsored SNK Stream Due to "Human Rights Concerns"
Summer Games Done Quick has canceled a planned sponsored stream with SNK due to ethical concerns. The decision was made because SNK's majority ownership by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia raises human rights issues.
Games Done Quick announces and then quickly cancels SNK-sponsored stream because of company's Saudi ownership
Games Done Quick (GDQ) cancelled a sponsored stream celebrating Metal Slug's 30th anniversary due to backlash over SNK's ownership by the Saudi-owned Electronic Gaming Development Company. GDQ stated they would not accept funds from the sponsor and apologized for failing to conduct a thorough review of the partnership, citing their commitment to human rights and inclusivity.
GDQ cancels SNK-sponsored stream & refuses funds due to Saudi Arabia PIF ownership
Games Done Quick (GDQ) canceled a sponsored stream with SNK and refused funds due to SNK's majority ownership by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). The decision came after community backlash citing human rights concerns related to the Saudi government. GDQ apologized and promised to be more mindful of partners' values in the future, though the controversy occurred during the successful Summer Games Done Quick 2026 event which raised $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders.
GDQ Cancels SNK Stream Over Saudi Arabia Ties
Games Done Quick (GDQ) canceled a sponsored Metal Slug speedrun stream featuring SNK due to community backlash over SNK's majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and associated human rights concerns. GDQ apologized to the affected parties and pledged to strengthen its sponsor evaluation process.
Games Done Quick apologizes for partnering with Saudi-owned studio SNK
Charity speedrunning event Games Done Quick (GDQ) cancelled a sponsored stream with Japanese studio SNK due to concerns over the company's ownership by a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, which is linked to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. GDQ organizers apologized for failing to conduct adequate review and pledged to strengthen their sponsor evaluation process, stating the partnership conflicted with their values of supporting human rights and inclusivity.
Summer Games Done Quick raises $2.4 million for charity, cancels sponsored stream with SNK over Saudi Arabia ties
Summer Games Done Quick successfully raised over $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders. However, the event faced backlash and canceled a sponsored stream with SNK due to the company's majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, citing human rights concerns. Games Done Quick apologized for the oversight and committed to strengthening its sponsor evaluation process.
"An oversight we deeply regret": Games Done Quick cancel SNK-sponsored stream following backlash over studio's Saudi Arabian ownership
Games Done Quick has canceled a sponsored stream featuring SNK following community backlash over the fighting game studio's majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The organization apologized for failing to conduct adequate review and stated they will not accept funds from this sponsorship or work with SNK again due to conflicts with their values of supporting human rights and inclusivity.
Apa Makna Judul Film Pesta Babi? Ini Jawaban Sutradara
Director Cypri Paju Dale explained that the title "Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita" uses "colonialism" as an analytical framework to understand the complex issues faced by indigenous communities in Papua. Despite attempts to prevent its wider distribution, the documentary aims to foster public understanding of the region's systemic problems. Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the government does not prohibit discussions or screenings of the film, encouraging open debate.
Microsoft fires head of Israeli subsidiary and other managers over surveillance of Palestinians
Microsoft has dismissed the general manager of its Israeli subsidiary, Alon Haimovich, and other managers following an internal investigation. This action is a consequence of a report detailing Israel's use of Microsoft Azure cloud services for surveillance in the occupied West Bank, raising concerns about legal liability in Europe and human rights issues.
Oversight Board tells Meta expanding Community Notes outside of US poses 'significant' risks
Meta's Oversight Board has advised caution regarding the expansion of its Community Notes feature outside the United States, citing significant human rights risks and potential for tangible harms. The board recommended withholding the feature in countries with high polarization, ongoing conflict, or organized disinformation networks, suggesting it can coexist with traditional fact-checking partnerships.
Trump administration's "cruel and unnecessary" acts called out by Titanium Court developer during IGF award speech
Developer Thomson of the game Titanium Court used their acceptance speech at the Independent Game Festival (IGF) to criticize the Trump administration's policies. Thomson highlighted issues such as restrictions on international travel, the revocation of driver's licenses for transgender individuals, and the US government's involvement in conflicts in Iran, Venezuela, and Gaza.
No Azure for Apartheid call on Microsoft to cut ties with ICE, amid reports of agency deepening reliance on company's cloud and AI
The activist group No Azure for Apartheid is calling on Microsoft to sever ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing reports of the agency increasing its reliance on Microsoft's Azure cloud and AI technologies. The group alleges that this technology powers ICE's actions against migrants, drawing parallels to its use in other controversial contexts. Microsoft has stated its policies prohibit the use of its technology for mass surveillance of civilians.
