Urban Air Adventure Park: Difference between revisions
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<div class="infobox-title">Urban Air Adventure Park</div> | <div class="infobox-title">Urban Air Adventure Park</div> | ||
<div class="infobox-image">[[File:Logo-horizontal-black-outline-1.png.webp|200px]]</div> | <div class="infobox-image">[[File:Logo-horizontal-black-outline-1.png.webp|200px]]</div> | ||
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<table class="infobox-table"><tr><th>Company</th><td>Urban Air Adventure Park</td></tr><tr><th>Parent Company</th><td>Unleashed Brands (UATP Management)</td></tr><tr><th>Entertainment Sector</th> | |||
<td>Indoors Sports<ref name="Attractions">[https://www.urbanair.com/pennsylvania-north-huntingdon/attractions/ Urban Air Attractions]</ref></td></tr><tr><th>Industry</th><td>Children's Entertainment</td></tr><tr><th>Official Website</th><td>[https://www.urbanair.com/ Urban Air]</td></tr><tr><th>Parent Company Website</th><td>[https://www.unleashedbrands.com/ Unleashed Brands]</td></tr><tr><th>Revenue Model</th><td>Monthly Recurring, 12 Mo. Contracts<ref name="UAContract">[[:File:UrbanAirContractPeriod001.png|Urban Air Contract]]</ref> | |||
</td></tr></table> | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
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==Membership Agreement Concerns== | ==Membership Agreement Concerns== | ||
Urban Air Adventure Park, a children-focused indoor sports entertainment company under Unleashed Brands, offers attractions such as ziplining, trampolines, and GoKarts<ref name="Attractions">[https://www.urbanair.com/pennsylvania-north-huntingdon/attractions/ Urban Air Attractions]</ref> | Urban Air Adventure Park, a children-focused indoor sports entertainment company under Unleashed Brands, offers attractions such as ziplining, trampolines, and GoKarts<ref name="Attractions">[https://www.urbanair.com/pennsylvania-north-huntingdon/attractions/ Urban Air Attractions]</ref> | ||
. Their membership model primarily targets '''families with young children''', often requiring '''12-month contractual commitments'''<ref UAContract>[[:File:UrbanAirContractPeriod001.png]]</ref> | . Their membership model primarily targets '''families with young children''', often requiring '''12-month contractual commitments'''<ref name="UAContract">[[:File:UrbanAirContractPeriod001.png|Urban Air Contract]]</ref> | ||
. | . | ||
However, concerns arise regarding '''privacy policies, billing practices, and the unrestricted use of children’s images and voices''' without additional consent or compensation. '''Given that minors cannot legally consent to these terms''', the ethical implications are severe. | However, concerns arise regarding '''privacy policies, billing practices, and the unrestricted use of children’s images and voices''' without additional consent or compensation. '''Given that minors cannot legally consent to these terms''', the ethical implications are severe. | ||
At least two Urban Air locations were also found in violation of Child Labor Laws. | |||
==Consumer-Impact Summary== | ==Consumer-Impact Summary== | ||
=== Privacy Violations and Billing Concerns === | ===Privacy Violations and Billing Concerns=== | ||
*'''Lack of Clear Billing Practices:''' The required '''12-month commitment'''<ref name="UAContract">[[:File:UrbanAirContractPeriod001.png|Urban Air Contract]]</ref>is not prominently disclosed during sign-up.<ref name="Memtypes">[https://store.unleashedbrands.com/urban-air/north-huntingdon-pa/purchase/membership Urban Air Membership Types]</ref> | |||
*'''Unfair Membership Alterations:''' Adding an additional child resets the commitment period '''for all family members''', extending financial obligations. | |||
*'''Unrestricted Use of Children’s Images:''' Parents unknowingly '''grant Urban Air full rights to their child’s likeness''', allowing modification and repurposing without further approval. | |||
*'''Unrestricted Use of Children’s Voices:''' Urban Air’s agreement enables '''alteration of voice recordings''', meaning a child's voice could be used in commercial or political contexts '''without parental oversight''' | |||
==Privacy and Policy Concerns== | ==Privacy and Policy Concerns== | ||
Urban Air Adventure Park does not '''adequately disclose or provide safeguards for the following membership terms''', which overwhelmingly affect '''children as the primary subjects''': | Urban Air Adventure Park does not '''adequately disclose or provide safeguards for the following membership terms''', which overwhelmingly affect '''children as the primary subjects''': | ||
# '''Mandatory 12-Month Memberships:''' Most memberships require '''a full year of payments''', with only '''extremely limited cancellation options'''. | #'''Mandatory 12-Month Memberships:''' Most memberships require '''a full year of payments''', with only '''extremely limited cancellation options'''. | ||
# '''Automatic Membership Extensions:''' If parents add an additional child, '''all previous members are forced into a fresh 12-month contract''', increasing financial commitment unexpectedly. | #'''Automatic Membership Extensions:''' If parents add an additional child, '''all previous members are forced into a fresh 12-month contract''', increasing financial commitment unexpectedly. | ||
# '''Total Loss of Image Rights:''' Parents sign away '''all rights to their child's photographs''', permitting '''modification, repurposing, and global distribution without compensation or review'''. This agreement does not specifically exclude use of images in countries hostile the United States or in areas areas determined to be controlled by group designated federally as terrorists. | #'''Total Loss of Image Rights:''' Parents sign away '''all rights to their child's photographs''', permitting '''modification, repurposing, and global distribution without compensation or review'''. This agreement does not specifically exclude use of images in countries hostile the United States or in areas areas determined to be controlled by group designated federally as terrorists. | ||
# '''Total Loss of Voice Rights:''' Any recorded voice '''can be altered, modified, and used for promotional purposes indefinitely'''—raising concerns about '''manipulated contexts'''. | #'''Total Loss of Voice Rights:''' Any recorded voice '''can be altered, modified, and used for promotional purposes indefinitely'''—raising concerns about '''manipulated contexts'''. | ||
== Membership Agreement - Use of Children's Photos == | ==Membership Agreement - Use of Children's Photos== | ||
Urban Air’s membership agreement '''requires parents to consent to photo usage of their children''', but parents '''lose all control over how these images are modified, distributed, or repurposed worldwide, forever'''. | Urban Air’s membership agreement '''requires parents to consent to photo usage of their children''', but parents '''lose all control over how these images are modified, distributed, or repurposed worldwide, forever'''. | ||
=== Serious Ethical Concerns: === | ===Serious Ethical Concerns:=== | ||
* Photos may be used '''for advertising without compensation or parental approval'''. | *Photos may be used '''for advertising without compensation or parental approval'''. | ||
* Images '''can be altered'''—including '''age modifications, added individuals, or politically charged content'''. | *Images '''can be altered'''—including '''age modifications, added individuals, or politically charged content'''. | ||
* '''No parental review or opt-out mechanism exists''', meaning '''parents cannot prevent misuse or misrepresentation'''. | *'''No parental review or opt-out mechanism exists''', meaning '''parents cannot prevent misuse or misrepresentation'''. | ||
* A child's likeness '''could be used for marketing unrelated to Urban Air''', including '''international advertising in countries with differing legal protections'''. | *A child's likeness '''could be used for marketing unrelated to Urban Air''', including '''international advertising in countries with differing legal protections'''. | ||
'''Excerpt from Urban Air’s Membership Agreement:'''<blockquote> | '''Excerpt from Urban Air’s Membership Agreement:'''<blockquote> | ||
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</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
== Membership Agreement - Use of Children's Voice Recording == | ==Membership Agreement - Use of Children's Voice Recording== | ||
Urban Air’s agreement also '''permits unrestricted audio recording of children''' inside the facility. Parents '''forfeit control over how their child’s voice may be modified, placed in different contexts, or reused indefinitely'''. | Urban Air’s Membership Agreement<ref name="UMA">[https://www.urbanair.com/membership-agreement Urban Air Membership Agreement]</ref> also '''permits unrestricted audio recording of children''' inside the facility. Parents '''forfeit control over how their child’s voice may be modified, placed in different contexts, or reused indefinitely'''. | ||
=== Ethical and Privacy Concerns: === | ===Ethical and Privacy Concerns:=== | ||
* Children's voices may be '''repurposed in misleading promotional materials'''. | *Children's voices may be '''repurposed in misleading promotional materials'''. | ||
* Audio '''could be modified''' to imply '''political affiliations, sponsorships, or endorsements'''. | *Audio '''could be modified''' to imply '''political affiliations, sponsorships, or endorsements'''. | ||
* Parents have '''no ability to review or retract consent''', meaning '''a child’s voice could be used long after they stop attending Urban Air'''. | *Parents have '''no ability to review or retract consent''', meaning '''a child’s voice could be used long after they stop attending Urban Air'''. | ||
==Membership Agreement - Billing and Cancelation Policy== | |||
Most Urban Air memberships require '''a minimum of 12 months of payments''' and '''cannot be canceled''' except in the following '''strictly defined scenarios'''<ref name="UAContract">[[:File:UrbanAirContractPeriod001.png|Urban Air Contract]]</ref> | |||
: | : | ||
* '''Death or permanent disability''' (requires medical documentation). | *'''Death or permanent disability''' (requires medical documentation). | ||
* '''Relocation beyond 25 miles''' from an Urban Air facility (requires proof). | *'''Relocation beyond 25 miles''' from an Urban Air facility (requires proof). | ||
'''Urban Air does not validate the identity of individuals signing up''', relying only on '''self-reported names and payment details''', raising concerns about '''potential enrollment errors or fraudulent sign-ups'''. | '''Urban Air does not validate the identity of individuals signing up''', relying only on '''self-reported names and payment details''', raising concerns about '''potential enrollment errors or fraudulent sign-ups'''. | ||
=== After the initial 12-month term, membership renewals can only be canceled with written notice. === | ===After the initial 12-month term, membership renewals can only be canceled with written notice.=== | ||
== Membership Agreement - Contract Alterations and Adding Members == | ==Membership Agreement - Contract Alterations and Adding Members== | ||
=== How Contract Extensions Can Trap Families in Unexpected Membership Lengths === | ===How Contract Extensions Can Trap Families in Unexpected Membership Lengths=== | ||
Urban Air’s '''membership policy forces families into long-term commitments''' by extending obligations if '''new members (such as siblings) are added''' to an existing contract. | Urban Air’s '''membership policy forces families into long-term commitments''' by extending obligations if '''new members (such as siblings) are added''' to an existing contract. | ||
=== Example Scenario: === | ===Example Scenario:=== | ||
* Parent signs up '''child #1''' for a 12-month membership. | *Parent signs up '''child #1''' for a 12-month membership. | ||
* 9 months later, '''child #2''' is added. | *9 months later, '''child #2''' is added. | ||
* Instead of child #2 simply continuing for the remaining 3 months or holding only child #2 to 12 months, '''the full membership term resets''', extending '''child #1’s obligation for another 12 months'''. | *Instead of child #2 simply continuing for the remaining 3 months or holding only child #2 to 12 months, '''the full membership term resets''', extending '''child #1’s obligation for another 12 months'''. | ||
'''This structure forces families into prolonged memberships without clearly disclosed warnings.''' | '''This structure forces families into prolonged memberships without clearly disclosed warnings.''' | ||
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'''Full contract details available at''': https://www.urbanair.com/membership-agreement/ | '''Full contract details available at''': https://www.urbanair.com/membership-agreement/ | ||
==Child Labor Violations== | |||
The US Department of Labor collected $43,000 in civil penalties from Urban Air (Jacksonville FL) for child labor law violations, which children working later than legally permissible hours. <ref name="DOLBackWages2023">{{cite web |date=2023-02-17 |title=Jacksonville Trampoline Park Pays $43k In Civil Penalties |url=https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20230217-2 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=U.S. Department of Labor}}</ref> | |||
Similar violations in Birmingham Alabama were also found and $28,000 in penalties issue.<ref name="DOLChildLabor2023">{{cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title=Birmingham Urban Air Indoor Fun Park Franchisee Pays $28k In Civil Penalties After Us Department Of Labor Finds Child Labor Violations |url=https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20231113 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=U.S. Department of Labor}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
[[Category: {{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category: {{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
<references /> | |||