Exploitative Entertainment
Conduct Screen Harmful Products
Entertainment business models that exploit vulnerable populations or normalize harmful behavior — includes predatory gaming mechanics (loot boxes, pay-to-win targeting minors), exploitative reality TV formats, and entertainment products designed to extract money from addictive behavior. Distinct from gambling (which covers regulated gambling operations) and animal_exploitation_entertainment (which covers live animal use).
4 companies currently excluded under this screen
Excluded Companies (4 total)
Showing 4 of 4 companies excluded under this screen.
| Ticker | Company | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| LOPE | GRAND CANYON EDUCATION INC | Grand Canyon Education Inc. provides marketing, recruitment, and enrollment services to Grand Canyon University. The company’s business model has been the subject of multiple federal and civil actions alleging systematic deception targeting prospective students. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company for deceptive advertising, accusing it of misrepresenting the true cost and nature of Grand Canyon University’s doctoral programs and of using abusive telemarketing calls to boost enrollment. A 2024 class action lawsuit, which a judge allowed to proceed in 2025, further alleges the company operated a racketeering scheme by propagating false information about program costs and accreditation status in its marketing materials and sales practices. The plaintiffs claim these practices trapped students in unexpectedly expensive programs. While a separate $37.7 million fine from the U.S. Department of Education was rescinded in 2025, the pattern of allegations from regulators and students points to a business model that exploits the financial aspirations of vulnerable populations. |
| PRDO | PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORP | Perdoceo Education Corporation operates for-profit colleges, including Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University, which derive revenue from federal financial aid programs. The company’s business model has been cited for exploiting vulnerable populations, including veterans and service members, through aggressive marketing and recruitment practices that target individuals during periods of economic uncertainty. Legal advocacy groups have described these students as a “gravy train” for some of the worst schools, indicating a pattern of prioritizing aid capture over educational outcomes. While the company itself is not an entertainment product, its operational model aligns with the exclusion criteria for exploiting vulnerable populations through predatory financial practices dressed as educational services. |
| RICK | RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. | RCI Hospitality Holdings operates approximately 50 adult nightclubs under brands including Rick's Cabaret, Scores, XTC, and Jaguars, along with Bombshells sports bar restaurants. The company's core business model profits from the commercial sexualization of performers in club environments. RCI has faced legal issues including wage theft claims from performers, prostitution-related venue shutdowns, and licensing violations documented by advocacy organizations and investigative journalism. |
| TWNP | TWIN HOSPITALITY GROUP INC | Twin Hospitality Group operates Twin Peaks, a chain of sports bar restaurants where the business model centers on the commercial objectification of predominantly female service staff. Twin Peaks markets itself on server appearance, replicating the "breastaurant" model pioneered by Hooters. The company went public on Nasdaq under ticker TWNP in 2025. |
The Naughty List
A digest of changes to our exclusion list — new additions, removals, and the evidence behind them. We review the list continuously as new evidence surfaces.
RSS feed
No spam · Unsubscribe anytime