Sulake Corporation, the owner of embattled kids' social network Habbo Hotel, has said that the service will be partially back to normal next week following a major scandal. Paul Lafontaine, the chief executive of Sulake, said that the company had received "a high number" of submissions in its "Great Unmute" campaign, launched to seek the views of Habbo Hotel users on the future of the network. He said Habbo Hotel would switch back on in "phases" starting early next week, using a "mix of technology, moderation, education and engagement". Last week, Sulake lost three of its major advertisers and two investors, after Channel 4 News exposed "serious lapses of moderation" on the Finnish website, which is claimed to be "the world's largest social game and online community for teenagers" with 10m unique visitors. A Channel (more)...
- 6/21/2012
- by By Andrew Laughlin
- Digital Spy
3i has withdrawn funding from Habbo Hotel in response to accusations in a Channel 4 news report raising concerns over user safety. The venture capital firm held a 16% stake in parent company Sulake. 3i stated that it was drawn to Sulake by its "innovative approach to building online social communities for teenages" at the time of investment, reports BBC News. 3i's withdrawal follows yesterday's (June 13) news that Balderton, another venture capitalist firm, has also dropped its stake following the allegations, as well as retailers Tesco and Wh Smith having immediately pulled Habbo Hotel gift cards from sale in stores. Writing on the Sulake blog, CEO Paul Lafontaine explained that immediate measures were being taken to review policy: "My employees and the senior management are working closely to ensure that best-in-class moderation and detection systems (more)...
- 6/14/2012
- by By Tom Miller
- Digital Spy
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