Consumer Rights Wiki

Steam: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
VisualWikitext
m Category:Product → Category:Products (in order to be more consistent with Category:Companies and Category:Individuals)
Socks (talk | contribs)
confirmed
5 edits
added section" antitrust ruling"
 
(25 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{ToneWarning}}
{{ProductPage
{{InfoboxProductLine
|infobox_logo=Steam.png
| Title = Steam
 
| Release Year = 2003
|infobox_1_key=Release Year
| Product Type = Video Game Distribution Platform
|infobox_1_value=2003
| In Production = Yes
 
| Official Website = https://store.steampowered.com
|infobox_2_key=Product Type
| Logo = Steam.png
|infobox_2_value=Video-game distribution platform
}}
 
Steam is a digital video game distribution service and storefront operated by Valve Corporation. Launched in 2003, it has grown to become the largest digital distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 130 million monthly active users as of 2024. The platform offers digital rights management (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking services.<ref>[https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about "At Valve we make games, Steam, and hardware."] ''Valve Corporation''.  2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
|infobox_3_key=In Production
|infobox_3_value=Yes
 
|infobox_4_key=Official Website
|infobox_4_value=https://store.steampowered.com


== Consumer Protection Profile ==
|description='''Steam''' is a digital storefront and service for video-game distribution, operated by [[Valve|Valve Corporation]]. Launched in 2003, it has grown to become the largest digital-distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 130 million monthly active users as of 2024. The platform offers services for [[digital rights management]] (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking.<ref>[https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about "At Valve we make games, Steam, and hardware."] ''Valve Corporation''.  2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>


==== Privacy ====
|summary_privacy_1=Collects extensive personal data including email, location, payment details, and device information<ref name="privacy-policy">[https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/ "Privacy Policy Agreement."] ''Steam''. February 14, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
'''Status:''' Moderate Concerns<ref name="cpp">[https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Consumer_Protection_Profile "Consumer Protection Profile"] ''Consumer Protection Database''. 2025.</ref>
|summary_privacy_2=Records and stores all user communications through platform features<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Collects extensive personal data including email, location, payment details, and device information<ref name="privacy-policy">[https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/ "Privacy Policy Agreement."] ''Steam''. February 14, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
|summary_privacy_3=Keeps certain user data indefinitely for "gameplay consistency" even after account deletion<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Tracks detailed gaming behavior including preferences, progress, playtime, and device usage<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_privacy_4=Tracks gaming behavior including preferences, progress, playtime, and device usage<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Records and stores all user communications through platform features<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_privacy_5=Shares user data with game developers and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Retains transaction data for up to 10 years after account closure<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_privacy_6=Makes user profile data publicly available through Steamworks API<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Keeps certain user data indefinitely for "gameplay consistency" even after account deletion<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_privacy_7=Uses cookies and similar technologies for tracking across websites<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Shares user data with game developers and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_privacy_8=Retains transaction data for up to 10 years after account closure<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Makes user profile data publicly available through Steamworks API<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Uses cookies and similar technologies for tracking across websites<ref name="privacy-policy"/>


==== Transparency ====
|summary_freedom_1=Users do not own purchased games, only receive limited licenses<ref name="subscriber-agreement">[https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement "Steam Subscriber Agreement."] ''Steam''. September 26, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
'''Status:''' Minor Concerns<ref name="cpp"/>
|summary_freedom_2=Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Provides clear refund policy for games (any game played less than 2 hours within 14 days)<ref name="subscriber-agreement">[https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement "Steam Subscriber Agreement."] ''Steam''. September 26, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
|summary_freedom_3=No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Maintains detailed system requirements information for all games<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_freedom_4=Imposes regional restrictions on game activation and playing<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Offers comprehensive privacy policy in accessible language<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_freedom_5=Can unilaterally modify terms with 30-day notice<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Unclear processes for account termination and data removal<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_freedom_6=Mandatory client updates required to access library<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Limited transparency about content moderation decisions<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_freedom_7=Users must accept all changes to maintain access to purchased content<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Vague about specific data retention timeframes<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
|summary_freedom_8=No option to opt out of core data collection while using service<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* No clear disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy"/>


==== Freedom ====
|summary_transparency_1=Provides clear refund policy for games (any game played less than 2 hours within 14 days)<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
'''Status:''' Significant Concerns<ref name="cpp"/>
|summary_transparency_2=It will mainly reference instances where the product prevents inspection or is intentionally confusing
* Users do not own purchased games, only receive limited licenses<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_transparency_3=Maintains detailed system requirements information for all games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_transparency_4=Offers comprehensive privacy policy in accessible language<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_transparency_5=Unclear processes for account termination and data removal<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Forces operating system updates to maintain game access<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_transparency_6=Limited transparency about content moderation decisions<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
* Mandatory client updates required to access library<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_transparency_7=Vague about specific data retention timeframes<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Many single-player games require online connectivity<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
|summary_transparency_8=No clear disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" />
* Imposes regional restrictions on game activation and playing<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
* Can unilaterally modify terms with 30-day notice<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
* Users must accept all changes to maintain access to purchased content<ref name="subscriber-agreement"/>
* No option to opt out of core data collection while using service<ref name="privacy-policy"/>


== Consumer Protection Incidents ==
|incidents_1_title=Modification to terms-of-service
|incidents_1_date=Sep. 2024
|incidents_1_text=<!-- NOTICE: This is somewhat 'pro-Steam' for incidents intended to highlight things consumers should watch out for. If you feel the need, you may remove this incident. However, please don't replace it with the Wolfire Games class action (Valve won that case). It will take more work and citations to put a substantial incident here than some other services/companies. -->
{{Main|Valve removes arbitration requirement from Steam Subscriber Agreement}}
In September 2024, Steam implemented significant changes to its subscriber agreement that altered user rights and game-ownership terms. Additionally, it removed [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] from the Steam Subscriber Agreement.<ref>Carpenter, Nicole (September 27, 2024). [https://www.polygon.com/explained/457557/valve-arbitration-steam-subscriber-agreements "Valve removes arbitration from its Steam agreements — here's what that means for you"]. ''Polygon''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref><ref>Rossmann, Louis (September 27, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f81qXxggo8 "Steam altered the terms of the sale; you'll be happy they altered it further!"] ''YouTube''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref> Key changes included:
*Enhanced ability to terminate accounts for violations
*Additional data collection and sharing provisions
*Modified dispute resolution procedures


==== Terms of Service Modification (Sep. 2024) ====
|incidents_2_title=Customer database hack
<!-- NOTICE: This is somewhat 'pro-Steam' for incidents intended to highlight things consumers should watch out for. If you feel the need, you may remove this incident. However, please don't replace it with the Wolfire Games class action (Valve won that case). It will take more work and citations to put a substantial incident here than some other services/companies. -->
|incidents_2_date=Oct. 2011
In September 2024, Steam implemented significant changes to its subscriber agreement that altered user rights and game ownership terms. Additionally, they removed [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] from the Steam Subscriber Agreement.<ref>Carpenter, Nicole (September 27, 2024). [https://www.polygon.com/explained/457557/valve-arbitration-steam-subscriber-agreements "Valve removes arbitration from its Steam agreements — here's what that means for you"]. ''Polygon''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref><ref>Rossmann, Louis (September 27, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f81qXxggo8 "Steam altered the terms of the sale; you'll be happy they altered it further!"] ''YouTube''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref> Key changes included:
|incidents_2_text=In October 2011, Valve was forced to temporarily close the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. Days later, the company confirmed that hackers had compromised one of its customer databases. The compromised database contained user information, including encrypted credit-card numbers, billing addresses, purchase histories, email addresses, and encrypted passwords for Steam accounts.<ref>Johnson, Casey (November 10, 2011). [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/11/valve-confirms-steam-hack-credit-cards-personal-info-may-be-stolen/ "Valve confirms Steam hack: credit cards, personal info may be stolen"]. ''Ars Technica''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>


* Enhanced ability to terminate accounts for violations
At the time of disclosure, Valve stated they had no evidence that the encrypted credit-card numbers or personally identifying information had been taken, nor was there evidence that the encryption on the credit-card numbers or passwords had been cracked. Nevertheless, they advised users to closely monitor their credit-card activity and statements as a precautionary measure.
* Additional data collection and sharing provisions
* Modified dispute resolution procedures


==== Customer Database Hack (Oct. 2011) ====


In October 2011, Valve was forced to temporarily close the Steam Community forums following security breach concerns. Days later, the company confirmed that hackers had compromised one of its customer databases. The compromised database contained user information including encrypted credit card numbers, billing addresses, purchase histories, email addresses, and encrypted Steam account passwords.<ref>Johnson, Casey (November 10, 2011). [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/11/valve-confirms-steam-hack-credit-cards-personal-info-may-be-stolen/ "Valve confirms Steam hack: credit cards, personal info may be stolen"]. ''Ars Technica''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
|incidents_3_title=Antitrust ruling: Geo-blocking
|incidents_3_date=Jan. 2021
|incidents_3_text=On January 20, 2021, the European Commission fined Valve, owner of Steam, €1.6 million for breaching EU antitrust rules by engaging in geo-blocking practices through Steam within the European Economic Area (‘EEA'). Five PC video game publishers have also been fined for engaging with Valve through Steam in geo-blocking practices by "requesting Valve to set up geographical restrictions and to provide geo-blocked Steam activation keys"(EU Commission, 2021). The fines for the publishers was reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commision. Valve did not cooperate with the Commission.<ref>Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC video games € 7.8 million for “geo-blocking” practices. (2021, Jan, 20). ec.europa.eu. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_170</ref>


At the time of disclosure, Valve stated they had no evidence that the encrypted credit card numbers or personally identifying information had been taken, nor was there evidence that the encryption on the credit card numbers or passwords had been cracked. However, they advised users to closely monitor their credit card activity and statements as a precautionary measure.
}}


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Product Line]]
 
[[Category:Products]]
[[Category:Services]]
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/Steam"