Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Former GameStop employee files harassment and discrimination lawsuit
Lawsuit filed
A former GameStop employee, Alec Blade, filed a lawsuit alleging that he was fired after reporting workplace threats and harassment, and that discrimination based on his sexual orientation played a role in his firing. These are allegations in the lawsuit.
Former GameStop employee Alec Blade filed a lawsuit alleging that he was fired after reporting workplace threats and harassment, and that discrimination based on his sexual orientation played a role in his firing. These are allegations in the lawsuit.
Source excerpt
A gay former GameStop employee has sued the video game retailer, alleging that he was fired after reporting repeated threats of violence and harassment by a co-worker who had been fired a day earlier.
In his lawsuit, filed on October 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Alec Blade claims that a former co-worker made derogatory comments about his sexual orientation and false accusations against him to store managers and customers.
2021
SEC concludes investigation into GameStop stock surge
Investigation
The Securities and Exchange Commission concluded its investigation into the GameStop stock price surge and reported finding no evidence of fraudulent behavior to manipulate the market. It said a short squeeze did not appear to be the main driver of events.
Source excerpt
In the 45 page report, the SEC concluded that while "short sellers covering their positions likely contributed to increases in GME's price" during the surges, "a short squeeze did not appear to be the main driver of events."
The Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded an investigation into the Gamestop stock price surge that took place earlier this year, and found no evidence of fraudulent behaviour to manipulate the market.
2021
Robinhood CEO apologizes to customers during congressional hearing
Company response
During a congressional hearing about trading restrictions affecting GameStop and other stocks, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev apologized to customers and said the company was working to prevent a recurrence.
Company response
Apology — Robinhood
对我们的客户来说，我很抱歉，我要道歉。
Source excerpt
特内夫在听证会上解释称，限制交易是因为清算公司提高了对保证金要求，在该公司筹集超过30亿美元后，交易限制部分解除。但他仍然向用户表示道歉：“归根结底，发生的事情是不可接受的。对我们的客户来说，我很抱歉，我要道歉。我们正在尽我们所能确保这种情况不会再次发生。”
狂欢之后，Robinhood一度限制GameStop等相关股票的交易，进一步引发国会对市场操纵和监管缺口的担忧。
2021
Robinhood restricts purchases of selected stocks
Issue disclosure
Robinhood restricted transactions in selected securities to position-closing only amid market volatility. The restrictions drew criticism and protests, and lawsuits alleged that the company improperly restricted trading.
Company response
Clarification — Robinhood
Tenev said that the investment app restricted the stocks because it has many financial requirements, including "SEC net capital obligations and clearing house deposits", which fluctuate based on market volatility.
Source excerpt
The stock trade restrictions have been blasted by Wall Street and Main Street alike, leading to lawsuits and protests in order to pressure the company to reverse its decision.
On Thursday, Robinhood began restricting trades of GameStop, AMC Entertainment Holdings, American Airlines, BlackBerry Ltd., Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., Express Inc., Koss Corp., Naked Brand Group, Nokia Corp, Trivago, and Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. due to "recent volatility", according to a blog post.
Tenev said that the investment app restricted the stocks because it has many financial requirements, including "SEC net capital obligations and clearing house deposits", which fluctuate based on market volatility.
2020
Boston orders GameStop store closure amid lockdown
Ban or restriction
In April 2020, the city government of Boston ordered a GameStop location in Dorchester, Massachusetts, to close after the store continued serving customers in violation of lockdown orders. GameStop confirmed that all of its Massachusetts stores were closed for the duration of the state-wide lockdown. The closure order followed the store's continued operation despite the restrictions in place at the time.
The city's government ordered a GameStop location in Dorchester, Massachusetts, to close after it continued serving customers in violation of lockdown orders. GameStop confirmed that all of its Massachusetts stores were closed for the duration of the state-wide lockdown.
Source excerpt
GameStop confirming that all Massachusetts store locations are now closed for the duration of the state-wide lockdown.
a GameStop location in Dorchester, MA (a neighborhood in Boston) was ordered to close by the city's government after violating lockdown orders and continuing to serve customers.
2020
GameStop announces store closures and curbside pickup amid COVID-19 criticism
Company response
In March 2020, after leaked audio of an executive call in which employees were told to ignore coronavirus news, GameStop announced store closures and curbside pickup. The company also said it would provide additional pay and reimburse eligible U.S. employees for a month of benefit expenses.
Stated objective. meeting this increased demand through curbside pick-up
Company response
Remediation — GameStop
GameStop says it "will pay all U.S. employees whose hours have been eliminated an additional two weeks at their regular pay rate."
Refund or compensation — GameStop
Additionally, they will "reimburse all benefit eligible U.S. employees one month of the employee portion of benefit expenses."
Source excerpt
Now that this particular conference call has leaked to the public, GameStop has announced that they are closing stores.
Under new guidelines, the shops will offer a curbside service, which will allow some employees a job while practicing social distancing.
Questions about employee pay during possible shut downs were tactfully ignored.