Steam: Difference between revisions

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'''{{wplink|Steam (service)|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>

'''{{wplink|Steam (service)|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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260126061439/https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about Archived])</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

====Privacy====

*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>

*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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260128081747/https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/ Archived])</ref>

*Records and stores all user communications through platform features<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Keeps specific user data indefinitely for "gameplay consistency" even after account deletion<ref name="privacy-policy" />

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====Freedom====

*Users do not own purchased games; they 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> Although some games work without [[Digital rights management|DRM]], information about this is hidden to users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Jan 2026 |title=The big list of DRM-free games on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203160801/https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=PCGamingWiki}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2022 |title=Post newly-discovered games here |url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203161210/https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref>

*Users do not own purchased games; they 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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260222073711/https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ Archived])</ref> Although some games work without [[Digital rights management|DRM]], information about this is hidden to users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Jan 2026 |title=The big list of DRM-free games on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203160801/https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=PCGamingWiki}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2022 |title=Post newly-discovered games here |url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203161210/https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref>

*Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />

*No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />

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==Incidents:==

===Antitrust ruling: Geo-blocking (''2021.01'')===

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 were reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commission. 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>

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 were reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commission. 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 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251207202114/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_170 Archived])</ref>

===Customer database hack (''2011''.10)===

In October 2011, Valve temporarily closed the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. The company later 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>

In October 2011, Valve temporarily closed the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. The company later 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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251213132214/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/11/valve-confirms-steam-hack-credit-cards-personal-info-may-be-stolen/ Archived])</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. Nevertheless, they advised users to monitor their credit-card activity and statements as a precautionary measure.

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===Modification to terms-of-service (''2024''.09)===

{{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]] 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:

In September 2024, Steam implemented significant changes to its subscriber agreement that altered user rights and game-ownership terms. Additionally, it removed [[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. ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=1f81qXxggo8 Archived])</ref> Key changes included:

*Enhanced ability to terminate accounts for violations

*Additional data collection and sharing provisions

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 }}
-'''{{wplink|Steam (service)|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>
+'''{{wplink|Steam (service)|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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260126061439/https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about Archived])</ref>
 ==Consumer impact summary==
 ====Privacy====
-*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>
+*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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260128081747/https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/ Archived])</ref>
 *Records and stores all user communications through platform features<ref name="privacy-policy" />
 *Keeps specific user data indefinitely for "gameplay consistency" even after account deletion<ref name="privacy-policy" />
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 ====Freedom====
-*Users do not own purchased games; they 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> Although some games work without [[Digital rights management|DRM]], information about this is hidden to users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Jan 2026 |title=The big list of DRM-free games on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203160801/https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=PCGamingWiki}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2022 |title=Post newly-discovered games here |url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203161210/https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref>
+*Users do not own purchased games; they 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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260222073711/https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ Archived])</ref> Although some games work without [[Digital rights management|DRM]], information about this is hidden to users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Jan 2026 |title=The big list of DRM-free games on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203160801/https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=PCGamingWiki}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2022 |title=Post newly-discovered games here |url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203161210/https://steamcommunity.com/groups/drm-free-and-client-free-games/discussions/0/5456682769561852541 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref>
 *Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
 *No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 ==Incidents:==
 ===Antitrust ruling: Geo-blocking (''2021.01'')===
-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 were reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commission. 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>
+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 were reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commission. 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 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251207202114/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_170 Archived])</ref>
 ===Customer database hack (''2011''.10)===
-In October 2011, Valve temporarily closed the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. The company later 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>
+In October 2011, Valve temporarily closed the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. The company later 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. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251213132214/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/11/valve-confirms-steam-hack-credit-cards-personal-info-may-be-stolen/ Archived])</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. Nevertheless, they advised users to monitor their credit-card activity and statements as a precautionary measure.
@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 ===Modification to terms-of-service (''2024''.09)===
 {{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]] 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:
+In September 2024, Steam implemented significant changes to its subscriber agreement that altered user rights and game-ownership terms. Additionally, it removed [[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. ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=1f81qXxggo8 Archived])</ref> Key changes included:
 *Enhanced ability to terminate accounts for violations
 *Additional data collection and sharing provisions