Steam: Difference between revisions
SinexTitan (talk | contribs) update |
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====Freedom==== | ====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> | *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 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 |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 |access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref> | ||
*Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | *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" /> | *No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | ||
*Imposes regional restrictions on game activation and playing via IP address geolocation<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | *Imposes regional restrictions on game activation and playing via IP address geolocation<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | ||
*Can unilaterally modify terms with 30-day notice<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | *Can unilaterally modify terms with 30-day notice<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | ||
*Mandatory client updates (sometimes over 100MB) required to launch Steam & access library<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | *Mandatory client updates (sometimes over 100MB){{Citation needed|reason=Personal account}} required to launch Steam & access library<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | ||
*Users must accept all changes to maintain access to purchased content<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 the service<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | *No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | ||
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*Unclear processes for account termination and data removal<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | *Unclear processes for account termination and data removal<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | ||
*Limited transparency about content moderation decisions<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | *Limited transparency about content moderation decisions<ref name="subscriber-agreement" /> | ||
*Vague about specific data retention | *Vague about specific data retention time-frames<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | ||
*No clear disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | *No clear disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" /> | ||
====Business model==== | ====Business model==== | ||