In February 2024 an article appeared on the Medium blogsite by an anonymous writer. The article contained explicit material and statements about alleged age-play in Second Life by SL Residents and staff. The article makes mention of suspected violations of Second Life guidelines according the terms and conditions regarding child avatars. There is also a mention of alleged nepotism in the product development department. The writer states that the article was already leaked and received by Linden Lab in November 2023.
Though we won't go into detail about the accusations against the people and communities that were mentioned explicitly, everyone who read the article was shocked to the core. Most residents know that there are child avatars in Second Life, but presumably some of them turn up in adult, or family sims and are fully equipped to have intimate relations. When we look at the SL Marketplace there are various items to be found that could violate the usage agreements that Linden Lab has in place regarding child avatars.
On February 29 the author of the article published an edited version to be able to comply to the guidelines of the Medium blog platform. By then the website had already put the article under investigation and put a warning up, but with a button that still lead to the article itself. Apparently this wasn't enough, because the item was taken down by early March.
Though we won't go into detail about the accusations against the people and communities that were mentioned explicitly, everyone who read the article was shocked to the core. Most residents know that there are child avatars in Second Life, but presumably some of them turn up in adult, or family sims and are fully equipped to have intimate relations. When we look at the SL Marketplace there are various items to be found that could violate the usage agreements that Linden Lab has in place regarding child avatars.
On February 29 the author of the article published an edited version to be able to comply to the guidelines of the Medium blog platform. By then the website had already put the article under investigation and put a warning up, but with a button that still lead to the article itself. Apparently this wasn't enough, because the item was taken down by early March.
Before the writing was taken down it had been shared on social media and many residents were very upset about the allegations. Many tickets were sent to the support desk with abuse reports in order to get an answer. Most people received the same answer:
Other than this response there have not been any statements from Linden Lab about the allegations.
Some other things happened that gave people an indication of changes happening in the higher echelons of Linden Lab.
There was supposed to be a LabGab on February 29 2024 about the new mobile app. There would be some Lindens available to answer questions live, but they changed that into a pre-recorded Youtube video. The video was never published.
There was supposed to be a LabGab on February 29 2024 about the new mobile app. There would be some Lindens available to answer questions live, but they changed that into a pre-recorded Youtube video. The video was never published.
There were a lot of different reactions on social media in world by Residents. Merchants left the Caspervend system due to the creator being involved in the alleged accusations. Customers talked about boycotting everyone who used the vendor system. Linden Lab acquired Caspertech in 2022, so there's no money going to the creator of the system, but merchants tried to make a statement out of principle.
Zooby announced they would be removing all their child avatars
Zooby announced they would be removing all their child avatars
Todleedoo and CuteBytes announced several actions regarding their avatars and ales.
A few merchants put an Adult only tool in place in their stores.
A lot of child and teen avatars have disabled their accounts due to being harassed in world. Some of them turned to adult avatars out of solidarity.
On February 29 the writer of "the new world notes" Second life blog posted the following:
This isn't an official Second Life blog and the statements in the post have not been verified.
Social media accounts of the accused people were removed, but some of them did still log in to the Second life world.
In November 2023 a tween store that was located on an adult sim was moved to a general. The store is supposedly owned by one of the people who were accused in the article mentioned above. (Remember the article leaked in November 2023)
In November 2023 a tween store that was located on an adult sim was moved to a general. The store is supposedly owned by one of the people who were accused in the article mentioned above. (Remember the article leaked in November 2023)
The Linden Lab board member page was adjusted. First they removed the links that lead to a short biography of the person in the pictures. Then they removed the entire photo section on the page. Around March 16 the page was changed again, but 2 members of the board are now Senior VP and they have an added department to take care off.
On March 13 2024 concerned Residents made a petition to sign and present to Linden Lab. In the follow up they were advised to contact Keira Linden who is the manager of support operations. They posted on Facebook that they spoke directly with Keira Linden. Screenshot of the outcome is in the picture below. This has not been verified by others than the Residents that made the post. They didn't want to give more details or screenshots due to privacy reasons.
March 19 2024 the same Residents followed up with a Zoom meeting about the allegations and a possible inquiry by Linden Lab or third party investigation. They posted on Facebook that the Zoom meeting was attended by Brett Linden (VP of marketing) and Brad Oberwager (Executive chairman).
Again this is not verified by Linden Lab, but only by the Residents that made the post.
Again this is not verified by Linden Lab, but only by the Residents that made the post.
This report isn't finished and will be adjusted and added to when there is more news....
March 20 there is finally a statement from Brad Oberwager.
We will continue to keep watch on what happens next. Statement here.
We will continue to keep watch on what happens next. Statement here.
Follow up on May 2 with a new blog statement. This contains a part where they say all Lindens and contractors have stayed in compliance with the community guidelines, as well as unwritten, ethical guidelines. Also a change of Tos concerning ageplay, chicld avatars and personnel changes. They are implementing a Roundtable for increased transparency and accountability. Statement here
Adjusted Wiki with a clarification of policy disallowing ageplay. Wiki here
On May 8 2024 a FAQ about policies regarding child avatars and adult activities in Second Life was published.
You can read it here
You can read it here
The Community Roundtable event with Second Life Leadership is scheduled to be held May 20 at 9:30-11 a.m. SLT. Post is HERE