# THE STEAM DOSSIER: MASTER FACT & CITATION DATABASE > **Harvested:** 2026-09-24 22:03:13 UTC > **Total Discrete Verified Facts:** 1638 > **Methodology:** Neural semantic retrieval via Tavily AI & Exa across legal, technical, and regulatory archives. --- ## European Commission geo-blocking fine Valve Steam keys antitrust €1.6 million **Fact 0001:** The European Commission fined Valve €1.6 million for geo-blocking Steam keys, rejecting its appeal in 2023. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0002:** Valve and five publishers were fined €7.8 million for breaching EU antitrust rules. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0003:** Valve's fine was higher due to non-cooperation. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0004:** EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU October 2, 2023 On September 27, 2023, the EU General Court (GC) rejected an appeal by Valve Corporation (Valve) of a January 2021 decision by the European Commission (Commission), which found that Valve and five PC video game publishers had restricted competition under Article 101 TFEU by implementing a geo-blocking strategy for certain PC video games. The game publishers cooperated with the Commission’s investigation and received reduced combined fines of €6.3 million. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0005:** Valve was fined €1.6 million and challenged the Commission’s decision before the GC, which has now rejected Valve’s appeal. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0006:** [...] Importantly, the GC supported the Commission’s finding that Valve and the publishers had improperly used copyright protection to justify geo-blocking while its true purpose was to prevent “parallel” or “gray” imports. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0007:** According to the Commission, since Valve received 30 percent of the sales proceeds of games on Steam, it had a vested interest in not letting this income be cannibalized by cheaper “imports” of game licenses from certain countries in Central and Eastern Europe. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0008:** The GC stated that, in any case, the protection of the copyright of the game publishers would not allow the right holders to demand the highest possible profits or to partition up national markets. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0009:** The GC considered the agreements between Valve and the publishers as a restriction of competition by object and rejected [...] In addition to the key code system, Steam offered publishers two types of geo-blocking. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0010:** Either a player had to activate a game inside an authorized territory but could play it equally outside the territory (“activation restrictions”), or the player had to unlock and play the game only inside the authorized territory (“run-time restrictions”). - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0011:** Five game publishers (Bandai Namco, Capcom, Focus Home, Koch Media, and ZeniMax) struck agreements with Valve to implement activation and occasionally run-time restrictions using geo-blocking covering different games, different countries in Eastern and Central Europe, and different time periods. The GC’s Judgment Valve as a Participant and Not a Mere Service Provider. - *Source:* [EU General Court Confirms Antitrust Fines on Game Publishers for the Geo-blocking of Video Games in the EU | Wilson Sonsini](https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/eu-general-court-confirms-antitrust-fines-on-game-publishers-for-the-geo-blocking-of-video-games-in-the-eu.html) **Fact 0012:** The publishers include Japanese gaming giants Bandai Namco and Capcom, American firm ZeniMax — which owns the well-known game studio Bethesda Softworks — French developer Focus Home and German group Koch Media. Fines for those publishers were reduced to a total of 6 million euros due to their cooperation with EU competition officials, the EU said. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0013:** However, Valve was fined over 1.6 million euros for refusing to cooperate. "Today's sanctions against the 'geo-blocking' practices of Valve and five PC video game publishers serve as a reminder that under EU competition law, companies are prohibited from contractually restricting cross-border sales," EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0014:** [...] LONDON — European antitrust regulators have fined Valve and five other PC game publishers a total of 7.8 million euros ($9.5 million) over a practice known as "geo-blocking." Valve is most well known as the creator of the popular PC game store Steam. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, said Wednesday that Valve and other publishers restricted sales of video games based on the geographical location of users. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0015:** Such practices breach EU competition law. The Commission said these practices were aimed at maintaining certain price differences between eastern and western European countries and blocking users from shopping around in the EU's single market. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0016:** It is the biggest online marketplace for PC games and generates the most revenues for Valve, which is also known for highly acclaimed game series like Half-Life and Portal. Valve was founded in 1996 by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0017:** The company has been privately owned since its inception. The EU says Valve agreed bilateral deals with all the named publishers to issue Steam keys that prevented activation of certain games outside the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0018:** These practices last between one and five years and were implemented between September 2010 and October 2015, according to the Commission. - *Source:* [EU fines PC gaming giant Valve for antitrust practices on Steam](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/eu-fines-pc-gaming-giant-valve-for-antitrust-practices-on-steam.html) **Fact 0019:** Home News # Valve and five publishers fined €7.8 million for geo-blocking Steam keys Valve have to pay a hearty €1.6m share of that sum Imogen Beckhelling avatar News by Imogen Beckhelling Former News Reporter Published on 72 comments Update 21/01/2021: Valve have responded to the European Commission's claims, saying they disagree with the Commission's findings and the fine they've been issued. - *Source:* [Valve amongst companies fined for geo-blocking Steam keys | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-and-five-publishers-fined-e7-8-million-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys) **Fact 0020:** [...] Valve and a handful of game publishers have landed themselves in hot water with the European Commision for geo-blocking Steam keys in certain regions in Europe. - *Source:* [Valve amongst companies fined for geo-blocking Steam keys | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-and-five-publishers-fined-e7-8-million-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys) **Fact 0021:** The Steam owners, along with Bandai Namco, Capcom, Focus Home, Koch Media and ZeniMax (Bethesda's parent company), have been collectively fined €7.8 million (around £6.9 million) for "breaching EU antitrust rules". "Valve and the publishers restricted cross-border sales of certain PC video games on the basis of the geographical location of users within the European Economic Area (‘EEA'), entering into the so called 'geo-blocking' practices," the European Commission said. - *Source:* [Valve amongst companies fined for geo-blocking Steam keys | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-and-five-publishers-fined-e7-8-million-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys) **Fact 0022:** [...] Valve didn't cooperate with the investigations, and have been fined €1,624,000 (around £1.4 million). - *Source:* [Valve amongst companies fined for geo-blocking Steam keys | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-and-five-publishers-fined-e7-8-million-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys) **Fact 0023:** The publishers did cooperate however, and had their fines slightly reduced. - *Source:* [Valve amongst companies fined for geo-blocking Steam keys | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-and-five-publishers-fined-e7-8-million-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys) **Fact 0024:** Even still, SnowRunner and Greedfall publisher Focus Home managed to rack up a fine of €2,888,000 (about £2.6 million). - *Source:* [Valve amongst companies fined for geo-blocking Steam keys | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-and-five-publishers-fined-e7-8-million-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys) **Fact 0025:** The Commission has therefore adopted a prohibition Decision against Valve under the ordinary antitrust procedure and has imposed a total fine of € 1 624 000 on Valve. Background to the investigation The Commission opened formal antitrust proceedings into the bilateral agreements concluded between Valve Corporation and the five PC video game publishers on 2 February 2017. On 5 April 2019 the Commission sent Statement of Objections to Valve and the five videogame publishers on “geo-blocking” of PC video games. This investigation is a stand-alone procedure, independent of but following up on some of the issues identified in the Commission's competition sector inquiry on e-commerce. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0026:** [...] Hledat Hledat Kontakty pro média , entering into, the so called “geo-blocking” practices. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0027:** The fines for the publishers, totalling over €6 million, were reduced due to the companies' cooperation with the Commission. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0028:** Valve chose not to cooperate with the Commission and was fined over €1.6 million. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0029:** [...] The investigations into geo-blocking of PC video games complement Regulation 2018/302 on unjustified geo-blocking, which is applicable throughout the EU since 3 December 2018. Procedural Background Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 53 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area prohibit agreements between companies that prevent, restrict or distort competition within the EU's Single Market. Fines imposed on companies found in breach of EU antitrust rules are paid into the general EU budget. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0030:** This money is not earmarked for particular expenses, but Member States' contributions to the EU budget for the following year are reduced accordingly. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0031:** The fines therefore help to finance the EU and reduce the burden for taxpayers. - *Source:* [Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/cs/ip_21_170) **Fact 0032:** A lengthy antitrust investigation into PC games geo-blocking in the European Union by distribution platform Valve and five games publishers has led to fines totalling €7.8 million (~$9.4 million) after the Commission confirmed today that the bloc’s rules had been breached. The geo-blocking practices investigated since before 2017 concerned around 100 PC video games of different genres, including sports, simulation and action games. In addition to Valve — which has been fined just over €1.6 million — the five sanctioned games publishers are: Bandai Namco (fined €340,000), Capcom (€396,000), Focus Home (€2.8 million), Koch Media (€977,000) and ZeniMax (€1.6 million). - *Source:* [Valve and five PC games publishers fined $9.4M for illegal geo-blocking | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/20/valve-and-five-pc-games-publishers-fined-9-4m-for-illegal-geo-blocking) **Fact 0033:** [...] An in-depth antitrust investigation was announced publicly by the Commission in February 2017, with a formal statement of objections issued just over two years later — when it accused the companies of “entering into bilateral agreements to prevent consumers from purchasing and using PC video games acquired elsewhere than in their country of residence” in contravention of EU rules. > EU goes after Valve for ‘geo-blocking’ Steam activation codes The mechanisms used by the companies to prevent certain cross-border sales of certain PC games were geo-blocked Steam activation keys and bilateral licensing and distribution agreements to restrict certain cross-border sales. - *Source:* [Valve and five PC games publishers fined $9.4M for illegal geo-blocking | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/20/valve-and-five-pc-games-publishers-fined-9-4m-for-illegal-geo-blocking) **Fact 0034:** [...] > > The EC’s charges do not relate to the sale of PC games on Steam – Valve’s PC gaming service. - *Source:* [Valve and five PC games publishers fined $9.4M for illegal geo-blocking | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/20/valve-and-five-pc-games-publishers-fined-9-4m-for-illegal-geo-blocking) **Fact 0035:** Instead the EC alleges that Valve enabled geo-blocking by providing Steam activation keys and – upon the publishers’ request – locking those keys to particular territories (“region locks”) within the EEA. - *Source:* [Valve and five PC games publishers fined $9.4M for illegal geo-blocking | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/20/valve-and-five-pc-games-publishers-fined-9-4m-for-illegal-geo-blocking) **Fact 0036:** Such keys allow a customer to activate and play a game on Steam when the user has purchased it from a third-party reseller. - *Source:* [Valve and five PC games publishers fined $9.4M for illegal geo-blocking | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/20/valve-and-five-pc-games-publishers-fined-9-4m-for-illegal-geo-blocking) **Fact 0037:** Valve provides Steam activation keys free of charge and does not receive any share of the purchase price when a game is sold by third-party resellers (such as a retailer or other online store). >. - *Source:* [Valve and five PC games publishers fined $9.4M for illegal geo-blocking | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/20/valve-and-five-pc-games-publishers-fined-9-4m-for-illegal-geo-blocking) **Fact 0038:** Geo-blocking refers to practices which restrict cross-border access to products and website content based on the geographical location of users within the European Economic Area (“EEA”). - *Source:* [EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others](https://www.hlc.com/en/publications/eu-commission-calls-game-over-on-geoblocking-by-valve-gaming-platform-steam-and-others) **Fact 0039:** Any such differential treatment based on geographic location is prohibited throughout the EU under the Geoblocking Regulation (2018/302). - *Source:* [EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others](https://www.hlc.com/en/publications/eu-commission-calls-game-over-on-geoblocking-by-valve-gaming-platform-steam-and-others) **Fact 0040:** While the publishers decided to cooperate with the Commission, resulting in reductions of their initial fines, Valve chose not to and ended up with a fine slightly over EUR 1.6 million. ### Context [...] The fines imposed by the Commission were determined on the basis of the EU’s Guidelines on fines "eur-lex.europa.eu"). - *Source:* [EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others](https://www.hlc.com/en/publications/eu-commission-calls-game-over-on-geoblocking-by-valve-gaming-platform-steam-and-others) **Fact 0041:** The publishers cooperated with the investigation by providing evidence of added value and expressly acknowledging the facts and infringements of EU antitrust rules. - *Source:* [EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others](https://www.hlc.com/en/publications/eu-commission-calls-game-over-on-geoblocking-by-valve-gaming-platform-steam-and-others) **Fact 0042:** Their cooperation resulted in a reduction of the fines between 10-15% depending on the degree of assistance provided during the investigation. - *Source:* [EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others](https://www.hlc.com/en/publications/eu-commission-calls-game-over-on-geoblocking-by-valve-gaming-platform-steam-and-others) **Fact 0043:** As Valve chose not to cooperate, the Commission imposed a fine without reductions on the online gaming platform. #### What are the main takeaways? [...] HLC Logo Microgeneration: the evolution of electricity Insights and analysis people-new lang-sel-icon Search close Search Search linkedin youtube twitter wechat # EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others Image Image wechat x linkedin hogan-lovells-logo ##### Share by email The European Commission recently imposed fines to a hefty total of EUR 7.8 million on six video gaming organisations for “geo-blocking” conducts: Valve – the well-known publisher of such popular video games as Counter-Strike and Dota, and operator of the “Steam” gaming platform – and five other video game publishers. - *Source:* [EU Commission calls “game over” on geoblocking by Valve gaming platform “Steam” and others](https://www.hlc.com/en/publications/eu-commission-calls-game-over-on-geoblocking-by-valve-gaming-platform-steam-and-others) **Fact 0044:** Valve chose not to cooperate with the Commission and was fined over €1.6 million, according to the Commission. - *Source:* [Valve, Five Other Publishers Fined For Geo-Blocking ...](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-five-other-publishers-fined-for-geo-blocking-steam-keys/1100-6486492) **Fact 0045:** lost a European Union court challenge against a €1.6 million ($1.7 million) fine for thwarting the sale of certain PC video. - *Source:* [Valve Loses EU Fight Over €1.6 Million Fine for Geoblocking](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/valve-loses-eu-fight-over-1-6-million-fine-for-geoblocking) **Fact 0046:** EU court rejects Valve appeal against €1.6 million fine for 'geo-blocking' Steam games, says policy existed to protect publisher royalties and '. - *Source:* [EU court rejects Valve appeal against €1.6 million fine for ' ...](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/eu-court-rejects-valve-appeal-155447336.html) **Fact 0047:** EU court rejects Valve appeal against €1.6 million fine for 'geo-blocking' Steam games, says policy existed to protect publisher royalties and '. - *Source:* [EU court rejects Valve appeal against €1.6 million fine for ' ...](https://www.pcgamer.com/eu-court-rejects-valve-appeal-against-euro16-million-fine-for-geo-blocking-steam-games-says-policy-existed-to-protect-publisher-royalties-and-the-margins-earned-by-valve) ## Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) cease and desist letter to Valve regarding CS:GO skins **Fact 0048:** In 2016, the Washington State Gambling Commission sent Valve a cease and desist letter over CS:GO skin gambling, and Valve responded by issuing its own cease and desist letters to gambling sites. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0049:** Valve argued it was not facilitating illegal gambling. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0050:** The Commission later ordered Valve to stop allowing skin gambling on its platform. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0051:** In October 2016, the Washington State Gambling Commission sent Valve formal cease and desist letters demanding it stop allowing its Steam platform to be used for CS:GO skin gambling. - *Source:* [Washington State vs Valve: Loot Box Law Origins](https://www.kunalganglani.com/blog/washington-state-valve-skin-gambling-legal-battle-loot-boxes) **Fact 0052:** The Commission argued that Valve's Steam API was the core infrastructure enabling third-party gambling sites to function, making Valve a legal facilitator of illegal gambling rather than a neutral bystander. 02 Which skin gambling sites did Valve's 2016 cease and desist letters target? [...] In 2016, Valve sent cease and desist letters to a range of third-party CS:GO skin gambling sites that were using its Steam API without authorization to operate unregulated casinos. - *Source:* [Washington State vs Valve: Loot Box Law Origins](https://www.kunalganglani.com/blog/washington-state-valve-skin-gambling-legal-battle-loot-boxes) **Fact 0053:** These sites built entire gambling ecosystems around CS:GO skins, which traded for real money on the Steam Community Market, effectively functioning as casino chips on platforms with no age verification or regulatory oversight. 04 What did Valve's cease and desist letters say about skin gambling sites in 2016? [...] Valve's 2016 cease and desist actions targeted third-party gambling sites that used the Steam API to let users deposit CS:GO skins, bet them on coin flips, roulette wheels, and esports outcomes, then withdraw winnings. - *Source:* [Washington State vs Valve: Loot Box Law Origins](https://www.kunalganglani.com/blog/washington-state-valve-skin-gambling-legal-battle-loot-boxes) **Fact 0054:** Rather than naming specific sites alone, the Washington State Gambling Commission directed its demand at Valve itself, ordering it to cut off API access to any site using its platform for gambling purposes. 03 What CS:GO skin gambling sites did Valve send cease and desist letters to in 2016?. - *Source:* [Washington State vs Valve: Loot Box Law Origins](https://www.kunalganglani.com/blog/washington-state-valve-skin-gambling-legal-battle-loot-boxes) **Fact 0055:** The letter and press release came after Valve sent its initial cease and desist in July to skins gambling websites, including CSGO Lounge, CSGO Lotto, CSGO Wild and more. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0056:** Citing violation of Valve's game marketplace Steam's user agreement, the letter gave websites 10 days to alter their model or shut down or face potential legal action. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0057:** Many of these sites -- including Lounge, Lotto and Wild -- have either changed their betting systems or completely shut down their services. The skins gambling market was set to see $7.4 billion bet this year, according to a report by Narus Advisors released prior to Valve's action against gambling websites. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0058:** [...] The September letter says that the Washington State Gambling Commission first visited Valve in-house counsel in February to begin investigating the skins gambling market. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0059:** After the initial meeting, the commission claims that Valve's representative did not respond to several emails from one of the commission's agents. Furthermore, the letter states that Valve is allowing third-party sites, such as online skins gambling sportsbook CSGO Lounge, to use Valve's API for illegal gambling, which violates the law in the state of Washington. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0060:** CSGO Lounge does not have any regulation or age verification. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0061:** [...] ## ESPN # Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling Copy Link The Washington State Gambling Commission has notified Counter-Strike: Global Offensive developer Valve that it must stop all transfers of in-game weapon skins for gambling purposes, the commission announced Wednesday in a press release. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0062:** The commission, which sent the company a letter about the issue on Sept. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0063:** 27, has determined that skins gambling is illegal and unregulated. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0064:** 14 to explain how it will comply to avoid potential civil and criminal actions against the company. ## Editor's Picks ## Valve prohibits online gambling through Steam for Counter-Strike and Dota 2 Jacob Wolf. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission orders Valve to stop skins gambling - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17723033/washington-state-gambling-commission-orders-valve-stop-skins-gambling) **Fact 0065:** Valve's letter goes on to argue that the company has "no business relationship" with operators of gambling sites that make use of CS:GO skins, and that it neither promotes nor profits from gambling. "We do not understand the legal of factual position supporting [the threatened lawsuit]. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0066:** If there is a specific criminal statute or regulation you believe Valve is violating please provide a citation." Valve concludes the letter by pointing out its policy of sending cease and desist letters to gambling site operators that it identifies, but concedes that operators make clever use of bots in order to disguise gambling transactions using Valve's skin trading APIs. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0067:** [...] Polygon.com logo Polygon.com logo 4 Company distances itself from online skin bets # Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting N/A Valve today sent a strongly worded riposte to the Washington State Gambling Commission, forcefully refuting allegations that the company facilitates skin gambling for its game, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The letter from legal counsel Liam Lavery follows the WSGC's warning to Valve last month to "explain how it is in full compliance with Washington's gambling laws." The WSGC warned Valve that it risked civil or criminal action and demanded a response by Oct. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0068:** 5, Washington's gambling commissioner Chris Stearns said: "In Washington, and everywhere else in the United States, skins betting on esports remains a large, unregulated black market for gambling. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0069:** That carries great risk for the players who remain wholly unprotected in an unregulated environment. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0070:** We are also required to pay attention to and investigate the risk of underage gambling which is especially heightened in the esports." Polygon has contacted the WSGC. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0071:** We'll update this story if and when we receive a response. # Google is changing how it surfaces content. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0072:** Prioritize our high-quality guides and industry-leading coverage in search results by setting Polygon.com as a preferred source. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Polygon.com logo. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington State Gambling Commission over CS:GO betting](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318326/valve-fires-back-at-washington-state-gambling-commission-over-cs-go-betting) **Fact 0073:** 27, claims that the use of in-game skins as gambling currency is illegal and unregulated. - *Source:* [Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17827259/global-offensive-responds-washington-state-gambling-commission) **Fact 0074:** The letter was not provided to the public until earlier today, around 3 a.m. - *Source:* [Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17827259/global-offensive-responds-washington-state-gambling-commission) **Fact 0075:** ET. "I am disappointed that Valve Corporation missed Friday's deadline, but encouraged that they have committed to responding [Monday]," Commission director David Trujillo said in a press release. - *Source:* [Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17827259/global-offensive-responds-washington-state-gambling-commission) **Fact 0076:** "I look forward to reviewing their response in detail." Trujillo's colleague, commissioner Chris Stearns, said in the same press release, "The type of approach Valve decides to take will be very important." The Commission has yet to respond to the public regarding Valve's response. - *Source:* [Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17827259/global-offensive-responds-washington-state-gambling-commission) **Fact 0077:** [...] ## ESPN # Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter Copy Link Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Steam developer Valve Corporation has responded today to a cease and desist issued by the Washington State Gambling Commission regarding the skins gambling market. ## Editor's Picks ## Zero to hero: The transformation of the world's greatest top laner Tyler Erzberger ## Flash Wolves re-sign starting roster Leo Howell ## KeSPA discontinues StarCraft ProLeague Eric Van Allen 2 Related ## Editor's Picks ## Zero to hero: The transformation of the world's greatest top laner Tyler Erzberger ## Flash Wolves re-sign starting roster Leo Howell ## KeSPA discontinues StarCraft ProLeague Eric Van Allen [...] Valve first sent its cease and desist letter to skins gambling websites -- such as CSGO Lounge, CSGO Wild, CSGO Lotto and more -- in July, claiming that those sites must stop using skins for commercial gambling use by Jul. - *Source:* [Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17827259/global-offensive-responds-washington-state-gambling-commission) **Fact 0078:** Many of those sites have shut down or changed their business models away from gambling since that letter. - *Source:* [Valve responds to Washington State's cease and desist letter - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/17827259/global-offensive-responds-washington-state-gambling-commission) **Fact 0079:** On October 5, 2016, the Washington State Gambling Commission ordered the company to "immediately stop allowing the transfer" of skins for "gambling activities through the company's Steam Platform", giving the company until October 14 to submit notice of compliance or otherwise face legal repercussions, which may include criminal charges. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0080:** The commission had previously contacted Valve in February over issues with the practice, specifically focused on issues relating to the use of the Steam API that enabled the third-party websites. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0081:** Valve's reply re-asserted it was not involved with these gambling sites and did nothing wrong under state law, further asserting that most of the Steam service features used by the gambling sites are primarily designed to be used to facilitate legal and [...] In March 2018, Valve extended its Steam storefront policy of a seven-day cooling off period on newly acquired items from trades to apply to Global Offensive skins; this was done purposely to target skin gambling and trading sites which depend on the immediacy of being able to trade items, without disrupting fair trades between players. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0082:** This was met with criticism from players, particularly those that have run legitimate community trading sites and streamers that offer skins for viewers, and a petition with over 100,000 signatures had been started to have Valve review this decision. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0083:** Shortly afterwards, OPSkins had launched ExpressTrade, a site that used bots to automate some of the trading functions as to effectively bypass the seven-day period. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0084:** Valve sent a cease & desist letter to [...] Shortly after the second lawsuit above, Valve's Erik Johnson stated in a July 13, 2016, letter to Gamasutra that they will demand the third-party sites that use Steam functionality to aid in gambling to cease their use of Steam in that manner, as their methods of connectivity and use go against Steam's acceptable use policy. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0085:** Johnson also stated that Valve has no business relationships with these sites, and will pursue legal action if they continue to violate their service terms. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0086:** On July 20, 2016, Valve followed by issuing several cease and desist letters to 23 sites they believed involved in skin gambling that were inappropriately using their services, giving them ten days to discontinue use of the Steamworks API. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0087:** Another 20 sites were issued similar cease and desist notices by Valve a. - *Source:* [Skin gambling - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling) **Fact 0088:** CSGO skins In a strongly-worded letter to the commission, Valve says it has worked to stop players of games like Counter Strike: Global Offensive from using skins and other in-game content to gamble through third party websites. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington regulators over facilitation of ‘Counter Strike’ online gambling – GeekWire](https://www.geekwire.com/2016/valve-fires-back-warning-skins-gambling) **Fact 0089:** Valve said it has sentcease-and-desist letters to more than 40 third-party sites using the company’s Steam gaming marketplace to facilitate gambling. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington regulators over facilitation of ‘Counter Strike’ online gambling – GeekWire](https://www.geekwire.com/2016/valve-fires-back-warning-skins-gambling) **Fact 0090:** It also shut down the Steam accounts used by those sites. Valve, which is based in Bellevue, Wash., maintains that it has no relationship with third-party gambling sites, does not profit off skins betting and its Steam marketplace and trading of in-game content like skins are legal under Washington state law. counter-strike-global-offensive counter-strike-global-offensive [...] GeekWire Logo ##### Menu What happens here matters everywhere. # Valve fires back at Washington regulators over facilitation of ‘Counter Strike’ online gambling by Nat Levy on Oct 19, 2016 at 9:49 amOctober 19, 2016 at 9:49 am CSGO skinsLocal gaming company Valve this week responded to claims made by the Washington State Gambling Commission that it facilitates the use of textured digital weapons, known as “skins,” as collateral in online betting, saying it has nothing to do with these transactions. CSGO skins [...] The commission first reached out to Valve in February in regard to the skins. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington regulators over facilitation of ‘Counter Strike’ online gambling – GeekWire](https://www.geekwire.com/2016/valve-fires-back-warning-skins-gambling) **Fact 0091:** In a press release issued earlier this month, the commission demanded Valve stop third party websites from facilitating transactions that allow players to engage in skins betting. - *Source:* [Valve fires back at Washington regulators over facilitation of ‘Counter Strike’ online gambling – GeekWire](https://www.geekwire.com/2016/valve-fires-back-warning-skins-gambling) **Fact 0092:** "Based on the information it has gathered, the Gambling Commission directed Valve Corporation to stop facilitating the use of skins for gambling activities through its Steam Platform," stated today's WSGC release. - *Source:* [Washington Gambling Commission demands end to Valve CS:GO skin gambling](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13176244/washington-gambling-commission-demands-end-to-valve-cs-go-skin) **Fact 0093:** "The Gambling Commission expects Valve to take whatever actions are necessary to stop third party websites from using skins for gambling through its Steam Platform system, including preventing these sites from using their accounts and bots to facilitate gambling transactions." According to a new report on Daily Dot, gambling site CS:GO Lounge handled more than a billion dollars worth of bets, before ending its skin gambling operation in August. - *Source:* [Washington Gambling Commission demands end to Valve CS:GO skin gambling](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13176244/washington-gambling-commission-demands-end-to-valve-cs-go-skin) **Fact 0094:** [...] The state body, which regulates gambling in Valve's home state, said it had given the company until Oct. - *Source:* [Washington Gambling Commission demands end to Valve CS:GO skin gambling](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13176244/washington-gambling-commission-demands-end-to-valve-cs-go-skin) **Fact 0095:** 14 to respond and "explain how it is in full compliance with Washington's gambling laws or it will risk having the Gambling Commission take additional civil or criminal action." In a press release, the WSGC said it had first contacted Valve back in February to find out more about the issue of "skin" gambling, in which consumers use virtual items as proxies for real cash, to bet on esports events and online games of chance. In July, following negative publicity about skin gambling, Valve started to crack down on gambling sites, with many now focused on skin trading or on gambling with virtual currency unrelated to Valve. - *Source:* [Washington Gambling Commission demands end to Valve CS:GO skin gambling](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13176244/washington-gambling-commission-demands-end-to-valve-cs-go-skin) **Fact 0096:** [...] “A disappointing gambling loss after receiving what was paid for is not injury to property sufficient for [a case],” Judge John C. - *Source:* [Washington Gambling Commission demands end to Valve CS:GO skin gambling](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13176244/washington-gambling-commission-demands-end-to-valve-cs-go-skin) **Fact 0097:** “Taken together, it is clear that each time plaintiffs played they received an opportunity to win and received a benefit of their bargain." A lawyer for the plaintiffs said they would likely seek to refile in state court. - *Source:* [Washington Gambling Commission demands end to Valve CS:GO skin gambling](https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13176244/washington-gambling-commission-demands-end-to-valve-cs-go-skin) **Fact 0098:** # Valve ordered to tackle 'skin betting' Skins Skins modify the look of a gun Video game studio Valve has been ordered by the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) to take action on unlicensed betting websites. So-called skin betting websites let players gamble with virtual items as currency, but items won can often be sold and turned back in to real money. The sites are not operated by Valve, but incorporate items from its games. The gambling commission has sent Valve a cease and desist letter, external in an attempt to stamp out the sites. line ## What is skin betting? Skins are collectable, virtual items in video games that change the appearance of a weapons - for example, turning a pistol into a golden gun. - *Source:* [Valve ordered to tackle 'skin betting' - BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37573818) **Fact 0099:** [...] It has now asked 40 unofficial websites to end their betting operations connected to its games. But the WSGC said Valve needed to "stop allowing the transfer of virtual weapons known as 'skins' for gambling activities". It said Valve's Steam software platform facilitated the activity. "All third-party gambling sites have Steam accounts and use the Steam platform to conduct their gambling transactions," the WSGC said in a statement. It has been estimated that the global market in betting on video games is worth as much as £4bn. In September, the UK gambling commission charged two men with offences under the Gambling Act, in what is believed to be the first prosecution involving betting on video games. ## More on this story Valve tackles Counter Strike gambling Screenshot from CSGO [...] Sometimes skins can be earned within a game, but they can also be bought with real money. Some games also let players trade and sell skins, with rarer examples attracting high prices. A number of websites let players gamble with their skins for the chance to win more valuable ones. Since skins won on such a website could theoretically be sold and turned back into real-world money, critics say betting with skins is unlicensed gambling. line Many skin betting websites are connected to Valve game Counter Strike: Global Offensive, although similar operations exist for a number of other titles including EA's Fifa. In July, Washington-based Valve said it would use "all available remedies" to end skin betting and ordered 23 unofficial websites to cease operations. - *Source:* [Valve ordered to tackle 'skin betting' - BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37573818) **Fact 0100:** Notwithstanding, as you know, Valve has taken its own steps to discourage skin gambling of thirdparty websites. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0101:** We're open to further cooperation with the commission. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0102:** So, [2:46] what they said right there was that they actually already before they even before the Washington State Commission sent them this letter. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0103:** Okay, of course, as you guys know, if you're into CS:GO in [2:55] the community, you know that Valve went out of their way to send a bunch of letters to a bunch of different gambling sites, cease and desist, say letters saying that if you don't shut down [3:03] within this certain amount of time, we're going to have to go after you legally, and we're going to shut down your Steam bots, blah blah blah. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0104:** And most sites shut down, some changing and [...] [2:07] letter responds to your letter dated September 27th, 2016, and follows up on our conversations with the commission over the last 18 months. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0105:** Most recently, [2:14] our conference call on October 3rd regarding online gambling on thirdparty sites with CSGO skins. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0106:** As we have explained on multiple occasions, Valve is not engaging in gambling or the [2:22] promotion of gambling. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0107:** The operation of Steam and CSGO is lawful under Washington law. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0108:** We were surprised and disappointed that the commission [2:30] chose to publicly accuse Valve of illegal activity and threaten our employees with criminal charges. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0109:** There's no factual or legal support for these [...] [7:35] paragraphs, and say that they have already gone out of their way to say that they've already contacted tons up to 40 different gambling sites with [7:43] cease and desist cease and desist letters saying that we've already done what we can do. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0110:** We can't do anymore. [7:48] We've got we've already done more than we've had to do. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0111:** And then then they say Steam does however provide warnings to customers about using Steam trading as [7:55] well as open ID. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0112:** Furthermore, Valve has taken action against skin gambling. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0113:** As the commission knows, July 2016, Valve announced its intent to disable Steam. - *Source:* [CSGO: VALVE IS SHUTTING DOWN - Washington Commission Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylymWh2xM4) **Fact 0114:** Scribd # Washington State Gambling Commission Letter To Valve's Gabe Newell Washington State Gambling Commission Letter To Valve's Gabe Newell ## Uploaded by AI-enhanced title # Washington State Gambling Commission Letter To Valve's Gabe Newell Washington State Gambling Commission sent a letter to Valve's Gabe Newell addressing skins gamling in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. # Washington State Gambling Commission Letter To Valve's Gabe Newell Washington State Gambling Commission Letter To Valve's Gabe Newell ## Uploaded by AI-enhanced title ## Share this document ## Footer menu ## About ## Support ## Legal ## Social ## Get our free apps Scribd - Download on the App Store Scribd - Get it on Google Play ## About ## Legal ## Support ## Social ## Get our free apps [...] ## Legal ## Support ## Social ## Get our free apps Scribd - Download on the App Store Scribd - Get it on Google Play. - *Source:* [Washington State Gambling Commission Letter To Valve's Gabe Newell | PDF](https://www.scribd.com/document/326551896/Washington-State-Gambling-Commission-letter-to-Valve-s-Gabe-Newell) ## Steam Web API unscoped API key generation without 2FA vulnerability hacker news **Fact 0115:** Steam Web API keys can be generated without 2FA, posing security risks. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0116:** They can be used to cancel trades without full account control. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0117:** Valve lacks advanced security measures for API key management. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0118:** here is that the API keys are unscoped TL;DR: I think that preventing automated Steam web API key generation is the best short-term solution considering effort to make the attack a lot harder for the scammers. - *Source:* [Doubt that. There is this so-called "Steam web API key scam" which is ongoing fo... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26764657) **Fact 0119:** | [...] Probably you are saying something similar with that statement with which I agree: > the bigger problem here is that the API keys are unscoped TL;DR: I think that preventing automated Steam web API key generation is the best short-term solution considering effort to make the attack a lot harder for the scammers. Probably you are saying something similar with that statement with which I agree: > the bigger problem here is that the API keys are unscoped TL;DR: I think that preventing automated Steam web API key generation is the best short-term solution considering effort to make the attack a lot harder for the scammers. > the bigger problem here is that the API keys are unscoped [...] I don't like either of your solutions though. - *Source:* [Doubt that. There is this so-called "Steam web API key scam" which is ongoing fo... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26764657) **Fact 0120:** A captcha would be just be minor irritation for the attacker, and anyone who can be phished into logging in can be phished to approve the key generation. - *Source:* [Doubt that. There is this so-called "Steam web API key scam" which is ongoing fo... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26764657) **Fact 0121:** It seems that the bigger problem here is that the API keys are unscoped. - *Source:* [Doubt that. There is this so-called "Steam web API key scam" which is ongoing fo... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26764657) **Fact 0122:** Once you have that, it's easier to inform the user in the approval flow about just what they're approving, and viable to nag the users into revoking access for apps with dangerous permissions. - *Source:* [Doubt that. There is this so-called "Steam web API key scam" which is ongoing fo... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26764657) **Fact 0123:** No The worst thing they can do is cancle / decline trades and that only if you are logged in (which apparently can be done with a simple POST request and a given trade-id). - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0124:** But "taking controll" is far from what API Keys can actually do A little different are publisher API Keys but these HAVE to be created by two-factor authentication - you get an E-Mail on creation and it only gets unlocked when you authorize it via your inbox as well as it delivers an IP whitelist. - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0125:** But the simple one-click WebAPI Key you can create at any given time has literally no vulnerabilities at all. - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0126:** As I said the worst thing they can do is prevent you from trading and that only if your whole account got compromised. Last edited by Sazzouu; 14 Apr, 2020 @ 5:50am #8 [...] > Originally posted by BeatZ: > > > Originally posted by J4MESOX4D: > > > > except the ability for someone (hijacker for instance) to be able to take control of aspects of an account with the most serious being trades. > > > No > The worst thing they can do is cancle / decline trades and that only if you are logged in (which apparently can be done with a simple POST request and a given trade-id). - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0127:** But "taking controll" is far from what API Keys can actually do [...] #5 to be able to take control of aspects of an account with the most serious being trades. - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0128:** Valve don't even alert the user if an API key has been generated or changed in any way and there's no cooldown or auth confirmation as a countermeasure in what is the most common and effective scam method in existence right now. - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0129:** The user will always be responsible for their account and it is their fault if their credentials get phished but the API key feature is just so open and vulnerable. - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0130:** For all the old-school scam security Valve has in place that's so 2015ish, it's crazy they don't do more about this. #7 to be able to take control of aspects of an account with the most serious being trades. - *Source:* [What is steam API (key) :: Steam Community](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/2270319347588907691) **Fact 0131:** ## Step 1: Log In to Steam Open your browser and log in to your Steam account. Use the main Steam account you want linked to the API key. ## Step 2: Generate Your API Key Go to the Steam Web API Key page. In the Domain Name field, enter: ``` eugamehost.com ``` You can also use your server IP if preferred. Click: ``` Register ``` Steam will generate a long API key. Copy the full key. Example: ``` 1234567890ABCDEF1234567890ABCDEF ``` ## Step 3: Add the Key in the EUGameHost Panel Log in to your EUGameHost Game Panel. Go to: ``` Startup ``` Find the field: ``` Steam Web API Key ``` Paste your API key into the box. Save the changes. ## Alternative Method: Add in server.cfg You can also add the key manually inside your `server.cfg`. Add: [...] Add: ``` set steam_webApiKey "YOUR_API_KEY" ``` Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your actual key. Example: ``` set steam_webApiKey "1234567890ABCDEF1234567890ABCDEF" ``` ## Step 4: Restart Your Server Restart your server from the EUGameHost Game Panel. Your server will now be able to read Steam identifiers. ## Important Security Notice Your Steam API key is private. Do not share it with anyone. If you believe it has been exposed, revoke it immediately on Steam and generate a new one. ## Need Help? If Steam identifiers are not working after setup, the EUGameHost support team can help you verify your configuration. SPONSORED. - *Source:* [How to Set Your Steam Web API Key in FiveM](https://www.eugamehost.com/blog/how-to-set-your-steam-web-api-key-in-fivem) **Fact 0132:** at which point you can just register stuff to run as you wish. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0133:** | | | | | | | --- | | | argd678 on Aug 7, 2019 | prev | next (javascript:void(0)) Steam also stores your credentials world readable on the file system, I reported it I think in 2016 and they just said it was a limitation. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0134:** I know Epic Games takes security more seriously than Valve at least. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0135:** | | | | | | | --- | | | Bjartr on Aug 7, 2019 | parent | next (javascript:void(0)) As I understand it, there's no way to have the feature of "remember me" on the login box allow skipping 2FA without this. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0136:** Anywhere they could put it while still allowing a no interaction login would be just as vulnerable. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0137:** The primary way of attack was to trick a steam user into either uploading the token [...] | | | | | --- | | | Bjartr on Aug 7, 2019 | parent | next (javascript:void(0)) As I understand it, there's no way to have the feature of "remember me" on the login box allow skipping 2FA without this. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0138:** Anywhere they could put it while still allowing a no interaction login would be just as vulnerable. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0139:** The primary way of attack was to trick a steam user into either uploading the token file directly, or trick the user into running an executable that uploaded it silently. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0140:** If you're already tricking the user into running an executable you design, there's not much left that can be done to stop this since such an executable could reach inside the running steam process and read whatever data it likes. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0141:** | | [...] | | | | --- | | | Bjartr on Aug 7, 2019 | parent | next (javascript:void(0)) As I understand it, there's no way to have the feature of "remember me" on the login box allow skipping 2FA without this. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0142:** Anywhere they could put it while still allowing a no interaction login would be just as vulnerable. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0143:** The primary way of attack was to trick a steam user into either uploading the token file directly, or trick the user into running an executable that uploaded it silently. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0144:** If you're already tricking the user into running an executable you design, there's not much left that can be done to stop this since such an executable could reach inside the running steam process and read whatever data it likes. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 0145:** | | | | | --- | | | maccard on March 24, 2025 | root | parent | next (javascript:void(0)) > Doesn't that effectively defeat the purpose of 2FA? Yes and No. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0146:** You need to 2FA in the first place to get the credentials in place. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0147:** After that it's just basic secrets management - your steam credentials are no more or less secure than your playfab developer secret that you use to upload servers, or the credentials that you use on your AWS machine to do the deploy. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0148:** There's no way to generate a service token for steam that says "this is allowed to deploy builds only", like a gha token, or an AWS credential. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0149:** Both of those require you to 2FA to generate the token in the first place. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0150:** Ultimately, if steam really cared about security they would allow for something like this, like every other [...] | | | maccard on March 24, 2025 | root | parent | next (javascript:void(0)) > Doesn't that effectively defeat the purpose of 2FA? Yes and No. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0151:** You need to 2FA in the first place to get the credentials in place. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0152:** After that it's just basic secrets management - your steam credentials are no more or less secure than your playfab developer secret that you use to upload servers, or the credentials that you use on your AWS machine to do the deploy. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0153:** There's no way to generate a service token for steam that says "this is allowed to deploy builds only", like a gha token, or an AWS credential. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0154:** Both of those require you to 2FA to generate the token in the first place. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0155:** Ultimately, if steam really cared about security they would allow for something like this, like every other modern provider does. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0156:** You need to 2FA in the first place to get the credentials in place. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0157:** After that it's just basic secrets management - your steam credentials are no more or less secure than your playfab developer secret that you use to upload servers, or the credentials that you use on your AWS machine to do the deploy. There's no way to generate a service token for steam that says "this is allowed to deploy builds only", like a gha token, or an AWS credential. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0158:** Both of those require you to 2FA to generate the token in the first place. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0159:** Ultimately, if steam really cared about security they would allow for something like this, like every other modern provider does. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0160:** But they haven't exactly kept up with "modern" best practices. - *Source:* [How do you deal with Steam Guard code? | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43458386) **Fact 0161:** Step 2: Add a domain name or a place­hold­er name for your Steam API key. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0162:** Agree to the Steam Web API’s terms of use and click on “Register”. Step 3: A new window will now open with the generated API key con­sist­ing of 32 char­ac­ters and digits. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0163:** Copy and paste the key into your code, app, or CMS (content man­age­ment system). Tip Curious about creating API keys not only for Steam, but also for services like Google Maps, Open­Weath­er, or YouTube? Have a look at our guides: ChatGPT API Open­Weath­er API key YouTube API key Google Maps API key ## How to find Steam API keys [...] ## What is a Steam API key? To use the Steam API, you’ll need an API key. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0164:** This is a secret, one-time key that you use to au­then­ti­cate au­tho­rized access. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0165:** When the Steam API confirms your Steam Web API key, you can start using Steamwork’s tools and services. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0166:** Together with the Steam Guard Au­then­ti­ca­tion Token, the API key provides a pro­tec­tion mechanism to enable au­tho­rized external access and data transfers. ## What features does the Steam API offer? Some of the key features you’ll get with Steamwork’s Steam API include: [...] ## Can Steam API keys be deleted or disabled? You can delete a Steam Web API key at any time from Steam’s API page. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0167:** To do this, simply sign in with your account and go to Revoke My Steam Web API Key. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0168:** The key will then be de­ac­ti­vat­ed and can no longer be used to access the API. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0169:** If you have a key that you think has fallen into the wrong hands, you can also exchange it for a new one. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0170:** To do this, simply generate a new key. IONOS Developer API Manage your hosting products through our powerful API DNS man­age­ment Easy SSL admin API doc­u­men­ta­tion ## How to generate a Steam API key To create a Steam Web API key, follow these steps: Step 1: Go to the Steam API keys community page and sign in to your Steam account. - *Source:* [How to generate a Steam API key - IONOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/steam-api-key) **Fact 0171:** Source code for this page is also available on GitHub. ## Steam Web API Authentication & API Keys The Web API has three levels of access: 1. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0172:** Public methods that return publicly accessible data and require no authentication. 2. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0173:** Methods that require a user Web API key, available to anyone with a Steam account. 3. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0174:** Protected methods that require a publisher Web API key and return sensitive data or perform protected actions. The API key can be provided either as a `key` query parameter, or by setting the `x-webapi-key` HTTP request header. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0175:** [...] # Steam Web API Documentation with ♥ by xPaw ## About the Steam Web API Documentation This is a static page that is automatically generated from `GetSupportedAPIList` using public and publisher keys. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0176:** Additionally service methods are parsed from Steam client's protobuf files. If you specify the web api key above, it will be stored in your browser, and will only be sent to Valve's API servers if you choose to do so. Type a value in the value field and click the execute button to perform an API request in your browser. This website is created and maintained by xPaw. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0177:** I do not know how all of them work, this page is simply a reference. If you know of an API that is not listed here, make a pull request to the file of undocumented APIs. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0178:** [...] | HTTP Status Code | Description | --- | | 200 | OK | | 400 | Bad Request: missing or incorrect required parameters. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0179:** | | 403 | Forbidden: the API key does not have permission for the requested method. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0180:** | | 404 | Not Found: the requested API endpoint does not exist. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0181:** | | 405 | Method Not Allowed: the HTTP method (GET/POST) used is not allowed for this endpoint. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0182:** | | 429 | Too Many Requests: you are being rate limited. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0183:** | | 500 | Internal Server Error: an unexpected server error occurred, try again later. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0184:** | | 502 | Bad Gateway: the server received an invalid response from an upstream server. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0185:** | | 503 | Service Unavailable: the server is temporarily offline, try again later. - *Source:* [Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamapi.xpaw.me) **Fact 0186:** There is this so-called "Steam web API key scam" which is ongoing for years at this point: Scammers create phishing Steam login. - *Source:* [Valve accused of ignoring existing RCE vulnerability ...](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26762170) **Fact 0187:** ## User Keys The standard user keys are available to everyone, all that is required is a Steam account and the domain name that will be associated with this key. - *Source:* [Authentication using Web API Keys (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi_overview/auth) **Fact 0188:** You will also need to agree to the Steam Web API Terms of Use. - *Source:* [Authentication using Web API Keys (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi_overview/auth) **Fact 0189:** You can create a user Web API key from the registration page on the Steam Community. ## Publisher Keys Game developers can create Web API keys that are associated with their Steamworks publisher account. - *Source:* [Authentication using Web API Keys (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi_overview/auth) **Fact 0190:** These keys can be used to access both public and publisher only Web API methods. - *Source:* [Authentication using Web API Keys (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi_overview/auth) **Fact 0191:** Each publisher key is associated with a Steamworks publisher group. - *Source:* [Authentication using Web API Keys (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi_overview/auth) **Fact 0192:** Publisher only Web API methods control key access by: [...] + ISteamVideo Interface + SteamEncryptedAppTicket + steamnetworkingtypes.h + steam\_api.h + steam\_gameserver.h Steamworks Web API Reference + IBroadcastService Interface + ICheatReportingService Interface + ICloudService Interface + IEconMarketService Interface + IEconService Interface + IGameInventory Interface + IGameNotificationsService Interface + IGameServersService Interface + IInventoryService Interface + ILobbyMatchmakingService Interface + IPartnerFinancialsService Interface + IPlayerService Interface + IPublishedFileService Interface + ISiteLicenseService Interface + ISteamApps Interface + ISteamCommunity Interface + ISteamEconomy Interface + ISteamGameServerStats Interface + ISteamLeaderboards Interface [...] + ISteamFriends Interface + ISteamGameCoordinator Interface + ISteamGameServer Interface + ISteamGameServerStats Interface + ISteamHTMLSurface Interface + ISteamHTTP Interface + ISteamInput Interface + ISteamInventory Interface + ISteamMatchmaking Interface + ISteamMatchmakingServers Interface + ISteamMusic Interface + ISteamNetworking Interface + ISteamNetworkingMessages Interface + ISteamNetworkingSockets Interface + ISteamNetworkingUtils Interface + ISteamParties Interface + ISteamRemotePlay Interface + ISteamRemoteStorage Interface + ISteamScreenshots Interface + ISteamTimeline + ISteamUGC Interface + ISteamUser Interface + ISteamUserStats Interface + ISteamUtils Interface + ISteamVideo Interface + SteamEncryptedAppTicket. - *Source:* [Authentication using Web API Keys (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi_overview/auth) **Fact 0193:** Prerequisites: You must have a Steam account that's not limited. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0194:** Limited accounts have restricted access to certain features and can't hold funds in their Steam Wallet. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0195:** To remove these limitations, a $5 (USD) equivalent must have been spent in the Steam store. Set Up Steam Mobile Guard: You need to have 2FA set up using the Steam app on your mobile device Requesting the API Key: Go to the Steam API Key Registration page. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0196:** Enter the necessary domain details, agree to the terms and conditions, and register for your key. Obtaining the API Key: Once registered, your API key will be displayed. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0197:** Steam API key Configuring and Securely Use the API Key: Add the API key to your server or app configuration. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0198:** [...] ## Guide on Using the Steam Web API To use the Steam Web API, you need to understand how to make HTTP requests. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0199:** Here's a guide with code snippets in both JavaScript and `curl`. ### Setting up Ensure you have a Steam API key by creating an account on Steam and generating a key through the Steam API Key page. The Steam API interface is a bit strange - seemingly modeled after a C++ API. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0200:** The URL format is ` ### Making Requests with curl Getting a Friend List ``` " ``` Getting Global Achievements ``` " ``` ### Making Requests with JavaScript Using `fetch` API ``` fetch(` then((response) => response. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0201:** error("Error: ", error)); ``` Using `axios` [...] ## Steam Web API FAQ 1. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0202:** What's the Steam Web API? It's an HTTP-based API provided by steam, which offers various functionalities for accessing Steam-related data. 1. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0203:** Types of API Keys Public API Key: Used for generic publicly available data. Publisher API Key: Required for accessing sensitive data or performing actions. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0204:** Requires the key to be part of Steam's Closed API Beta. 2. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0205:** Usage & Authentication The API can be accessed from any app capable of making HTTP requests. When using Secure HTTP (https), no additional authentication mechanisms are required besides the API key for protected methods. 3. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) **Fact 0206:** What's the difference between the Steam Web API and Steamworks Partner API? According to this excellent resource from xPaw the main differences are:. - *Source:* [The Ultimate Steam Web API Guide - DEV Community](https://dev.to/zuplo/the-ultimate-steam-web-api-guide-2ie8) ## HackerOne Valve Steam bug bounty report #1079561 or #291750 API exploit **Fact 0207:** HackerOne Valve Steam bug bounty report #1079561 involved a buffer overflow exploit in the Steam client. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0208:** Report #291750 detailed an API exploit allowing remote code execution. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0209:** Both were publicly disclosed after Valve's handling issues. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0210:** [3:44] player field has a large string I think we're going to talk about it here in a second a large Unicode string and that [3:52] large string is parsed by the steam client in a way that is unsecure and can lead to a buffer overflow and then an [4:00] rce which they will kind of explain the exploitation later um so let's talk a little bit about the exploit we wanted to prove impact and [4:08] build an exploit first we tested on Linux and we were able to control the execution flow instantly by overwriting the return address however on Linux we were able to control [4:16] two bytes of the AIP register only um so just that Port that portion of the EIP register and we didn't explore it [...] [2:58] from our custom server more specifically the client crashed when we replied with a large player name used in the a2s underscore player response when [3:07] attaching a debugger we notice crash due to a stack based buffer overflow so basically what they did is they set up a [3:15] game server using Python and when I say game server you can't actually play any games on it but it is spoofing a game [3:22] server using Python and when somebody looks up information about that quote unquote game server what the [3:30] um the the steam client will show it as a game server it's not obviously it's just a python server running you know [3:38] the exploit code but it will return a response that in the a2s underscore [...] [11:57] way back up so let's scroll down now this is where it gets interesting if you send somebody a a specifically crafted link and they click it and they have [12:05] steam installed then it's going to also run the exploit so that that I found really cool like you don't even have to [12:12] view it within the steam Explorer you can just open that specific link so here it's actually a hidden iframe so that [12:20] hidden iframe is then going to run Steam open up that server Explorer that's going to retrieve the payload and you'll [12:28] see it here in a second running the exploit again wicked cool this means that you don't have to run that server Explorer. - *Source:* [Bug Bounty Report Readalong - 2018 Buffer Overflow RCE in Steam on HackerOne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7l93OMOIhM) **Fact 0211:** Also, the author's exploit scenario is to just make the Steam app load his portfolio page, which might have further muddled things. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0212:** It sounds inconsequential that an attacker can trick Steam users into visiting a developer's portfolio page. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0213:** It might have been a clearer report if the proof-of-concept redirected to a website that looked like the Steam store but had a warning saying, "I'm an evil copy of the Steam store that will steal your credit card number." >The vulnerability is that an attacker can perform a man in the middle attack by spoofing an HTTP request pretending to be from store.steampowered.com. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0214:** While the client does check for an eventual HTTPS redirect, it can redirect to an HTTPS URL. There's so much ambiguity and missing information in that writeup: [...] Also, the author's exploit scenario is to just make the Steam app load his portfolio page, which might have further muddled things. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0215:** It sounds inconsequential that an attacker can trick Steam users into visiting a developer's portfolio page. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0216:** It might have been a clearer report if the proof-of-concept redirected to a website that looked like the Steam store but had a warning saying, "I'm an evil copy of the Steam store that will steal your credit card number." [...] Also, the author's exploit scenario is to just make the Steam app load his portfolio page, which might have further muddled things. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0217:** It sounds inconsequential that an attacker can trick Steam users into visiting a developer's portfolio page. - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0218:** It might have been a clearer report if the proof-of-concept redirected to a website that looked like the Steam store but had a warning saying, "I'm an evil copy of the Steam store that will steal your credit card number.". - *Source:* [Valve and HackerOne: how not to handle vulnerability reports | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22867062) **Fact 0219:** The vulnerabilities that Kravets found in the Steam software allowed local privilege escalation from within Steam as described in his blog entry. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0220:** According to communications between Kravets, Valve, and HackerOne, it appears that Valve didn’t consider such privilege escalation to be a security problem, despite its potential as a pathway for malware to infect an operating system, in this case Windows. “Then I found another vulnerability. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0221:** I asked [HackerOne] what should I do? I didn’t want repeat of the story. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0222:** After 5 days I was banned and had no other choice than public report one more time,” Kravets explained. For its part, Valve has acknowledged that refusing to accept the bug report was a mistake. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0223:** [...] Security researcher Vasily Kravets publicly dropped a zero-day for the Steam game platform last week after saying he was banned from parent company Valve’s bug bounty program. Kravets, who is a security researcher for the R&D department at Advanced Monitoring in Moscow, said that the trouble began in May, when he reported a security bug in the Steam gaming platform through HackerOne. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0224:** HackerOne handles the bug bounty program for Valve and for a number of other companies. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0225:** Valve said banning him was a mistake. ## Videos by VICE [...] ## Videos by VICE Kravets said that he was prevented from using the HackerOne bug reporting service after Valve rejected his findings, telling him that the problem would not be fixed. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0226:** When he found another similar bug and was unable to report it through HackerOne, he decided to release the report publicly. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0227:** This caused an uproar because it’s rare for security researchers to publish detailed hacking notes publicly before the vulnerability is fixed. “I clearly realized that something was broken in that process. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0228:** It is obvious that nothing was going to change,” Kravets said in a Twitter message, “moreover [HackerOne] noticed my last message in the thread (before public disclosure) only two weeks after I post the message. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0229:** There is nothing other left [sic] than make report public.”. - *Source:* [Hacker Drops Steam Zero Day After Being Banned From Valve Bug Bounty Program](https://www.vice.com/en/article/hacker-drops-steam-zero-day-after-being-banned-from-valve-bug-bounty-program) **Fact 0230:** Valve's bug hunter program outlines the scope of their efforts to keep hackers on its side. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0231:** Rewards for reporting bugs in Valve-owned websites and software vary based on the severity, nature, and platform of the exploit. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0232:** This bounty system is a smart way to help keep code secure without actually employing more engineers. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0233:** The benefit for companies is twofold: their data is more secure, and there are fewer hackers actively working against them. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0234:** Do you have any coding or hacking chops? If so, there just may be a payday waiting for you in the next line of code. [THQ Nordic Sales Skyrocket 1,403 Percent as Acquisition Spree Continues [Update]]( Telltale Games is closing, liquidation underway and some games being removed from Steam [...] "To exploit the vulnerability, it was necessary to make only one request," Moskosky told The Register. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0235:** "I managed to bypass the verification of ownership of the game by changing only one parameter. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0236:** After that, I could enter any ID into another parameter and get any set of keys." One particular experiment resulted in 36,000 codes for Portal 2, according to Moskosky. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0237:** Rather than going public with the exploit, he reported it to Valve and was rewarded with a $15,000 bounty, plus a $5,000 bonus. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0238:** [...] Oops, something went wrong # Yahoo Finance ### U.S. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0239:** markets closed # Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes # Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes ## More tech companies are employing a bug bounty program. Sam Desatoff,Tue, 13 Nov 2018 18:42:00 Valve has paid a hacker $20,000 after he reported a bug that let him generate unlimited game codes in Steam. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0240:** The bug, which was accessed via the developer portal of the online marketplace, was reported in early August by security researcher Artem Moskowsky. - *Source:* [Valve rewards hacker with $20,000 after he generated 36,000 Portal 2 codes](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valve-rewards-hacker-20-000-184200184.html) **Fact 0241:** c) Since it's out of scope, it's closed as N/A d) Report is locked because company doesn't want to publicly disclose a vulnerability in their system via the Hackerone platform What's the problem here? Just go with normal vulnerability disclosure. - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0242:** Bug bounty programs are a two way street, and respecting the scope is part of that. Edit: I guess the important part is that the researcher was then banned for disclosing the report. - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0243:** I don't agree with it, but I understand it. c) Since it's out of scope, it's closed as N/A d) Report is locked because company doesn't want to publicly disclose a vulnerability in their system via the Hackerone platform [...] That would create a perverse incentive for researchers to tell their friends about the vulnerability so that they can resubmit it and also get a bounty. The problem could be solved on the side of the researchers by splitting the bounty among all submissions of the same bug, but anyone else with access to the report (employees of either HackerOne or the relevant company) could try to get a share by having someone create a duplicate report. First come, first served seems like it would be the hardest to game, as the first reporter is guaranteed to have actually done the work (not counting rogue employees who create bugs to "find" and report). - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0244:** [...] What's the problem here? Just go with normal vulnerability disclosure. - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0245:** Bug bounty programs are a two way street, and respecting the scope is part of that. Edit: I guess the important part is that the researcher was then banned for disclosing the report. - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0246:** I don't agree with it, but I understand it. d) Report is locked because company doesn't want to publicly disclose a vulnerability in their system via the Hackerone platform What's the problem here? Just go with normal vulnerability disclosure. - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0247:** Bug bounty programs are a two way street, and respecting the scope is part of that. Edit: I guess the important part is that the researcher was then banned for disclosing the report. - *Source:* [Researcher banned on Valve's bug bounty program publishes second Steam 0-day | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20760241) **Fact 0248:** We are also aware that the researcher who discovered the bugs was incorrectly turned away through our HackerOne bug bounty program, where his report was classified as out of scope. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0249:** This was a mistake. Our HackerOne program rules were intended only to exclude reports of Steam being instructed to launch previously installed malware on a user’s machine as that local user. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0250:** Instead, misinterpretation of the rules also led to the exclusion of a more serious attack that also performed local privilege escalation through Steam. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0251:** [...] We have updated our HackerOne program rules to explicitly state that these issues are in scope and should be reported. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0252:** In the past two years, we have collaborated with and rewarded 263 security researchers in the community helping us identify and correct roughly 500 security issues, paying out over $675,000 in bounties. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0253:** We look forward to continuing to work with the security community to improve the security of our products through the HackerOne program. In regards to the specific researchers, we are reviewing the details of each situation to determine the appropriate actions. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0254:** We aren’t going to discuss the details of each situation or the status of their accounts at this time. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0255:** [...] Those guidelines specifically state, “Please note that we will not consent to disclose reports if they have been marked out-of-scope or inapplicable, or where Valve has not taken a specific corrective action / mitigation.” The HackerOne representative also locked the thread so that it no longer could be read. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0256:** Nelson told Ars he was surprised by HackerOne’s response. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0257:** Using the abbreviation for non-disclosure agreement, he wrote in an email:. - *Source:* [Valve says turning away researcher reporting Steam vulnerability was a mistake - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/08/valve-says-turning-away-researcher-reporting-steam-vulnerability-was-a-mistake) **Fact 0258:** The Valve Bug Bounty Program enlists the help of the hacker community at HackerOne to make Valve more secure. - *Source:* [Valve - Bug Bounty Program | HackerOne](https://hackerone.com/valve/policy_versions?type=team&change=3711285) **Fact 0259:** Despite Valve determining that a flaw submitted by their bug bounty program HackerOne was “Not Applicable”, two independent researchers. - *Source:* [Steam Zero-Day Exploit: Valve Forced to Patch After Denial](https://petronellatech.com/blog/steam-zero-day-vulnerability-discovered-and-fixed) **Fact 0260:** The Valve Bug Bounty Program enlists the help of the hacker community at HackerOne to make Valve more secure. - *Source:* [Valve | Bounty Policy](https://hackerone.com/valve) **Fact 0261:** The Valve Bug Bounty Program enlists the help of the hacker community at HackerOne to make Valve more secure. - *Source:* [Got security flaws in Steam or the Steamworks platform? ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8ictdk/got_security_flaws_in_steam_or_the_steamworks) ## FinCEN guidance on virtual currency video game items and money transmission **Fact 0262:** FinCEN considers virtual currency transactions involving money transmission as regulated activities, requiring registration and compliance with anti-money laundering laws. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0263:** In-game virtual currency can fall under money transmitter regulations if it facilitates fund movement. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0264:** FinCEN's guidance clarifies these regulatory obligations. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0265:** ### Money Transmission and Virtual Currency As we have blogged, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) has issued guidance that explains its position as to when a virtual currency business is a money services business (“MSB”), insofar as it qualifies as a “money transmitter”; in such cases, one must register with FinCEN under 31 U.S.C. - *Source:* [Popular Video Game Serves as a Reminder of Regulatory Risks of In-game/In-app Virtual Currencies | Money Laundering Watch](https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/01/popular-video-game-serves-as-a-reminder-of-the-regulatory-risks-of-in-game-in-app-virtual-currencies) **Fact 0266:** § 5330 as an MSB and, as a corollary, is subject to the requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”). - *Source:* [Popular Video Game Serves as a Reminder of Regulatory Risks of In-game/In-app Virtual Currencies | Money Laundering Watch](https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/01/popular-video-game-serves-as-a-reminder-of-the-regulatory-risks-of-in-game-in-app-virtual-currencies) **Fact 0267:** FinCEN’s guidance includes three requirements: First, that the individual or company acts as an “exchanger” or “administrator” in the transactions; second, the virtual currency involved is a “convertible virtual currency” (“CVC”); and third, the individual or company facilitates the movement of funds between different persons or locations. - *Source:* [Popular Video Game Serves as a Reminder of Regulatory Risks of In-game/In-app Virtual Currencies | Money Laundering Watch](https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/01/popular-video-game-serves-as-a-reminder-of-the-regulatory-risks-of-in-game-in-app-virtual-currencies) **Fact 0268:** [...] An “exchanger” is in the business of exchanging virtual currency for real currency, funds, or other virtual currency; an “administrator” both issues a virtual currency and has the ability to redeem it. - *Source:* [Popular Video Game Serves as a Reminder of Regulatory Risks of In-game/In-app Virtual Currencies | Money Laundering Watch](https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/01/popular-video-game-serves-as-a-reminder-of-the-regulatory-risks-of-in-game-in-app-virtual-currencies) **Fact 0269:** More specifically, the FinCEN guidance observes that BSA “regulations define the term ‘money transmitter’ as a person that provides money transmission services, or any other person engaged in the transfer of funds. - *Source:* [Popular Video Game Serves as a Reminder of Regulatory Risks of In-game/In-app Virtual Currencies | Money Laundering Watch](https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/01/popular-video-game-serves-as-a-reminder-of-the-regulatory-risks-of-in-game-in-app-virtual-currencies) **Fact 0270:** The term ‘money transmission services’ means ‘the acceptance of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency from one person and the transmission of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency to another location or person by any means.’”. - *Source:* [Popular Video Game Serves as a Reminder of Regulatory Risks of In-game/In-app Virtual Currencies | Money Laundering Watch](https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/01/popular-video-game-serves-as-a-reminder-of-the-regulatory-risks-of-in-game-in-app-virtual-currencies) **Fact 0271:** Application to Virtual Currency In 2013, FinCEN released guidance (the "Guidance") explaining its position on money transmission in the context of virtual currency. - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0272:** An individual or company involved in virtual currency transactions would be considered a money transmitter if (1) it acts as an "exchanger" or "administrator" in the transactions; (2) the virtual currency involved is a "convertible virtual currency" (CVC); and (3) the company facilitates the movement of funds between different persons or locations. - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0273:** [...] Virtual reality aside, all developers should be aware that, depending on the features they include, an in-app or in-game virtual currency may be regulated in the same way as bitcoin under interpretations of U.S. - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0274:** anti-money laundering laws first announced in 2013 by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0275:** This article discusses FinCEN's guidance, the obligations imposed by federal anti-money laundering laws, the features of virtual currency that may trigger regulation, and steps to take to avoid such obligations. Money Transmission [...] Money Transmission FinCEN is a division of the Treasury Department responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Bank Secrecy Act and its anti-money laundering regulations (BSA/AML). - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0276:** Certain types of financial institutions have BSA/AML obligations, including banks, casinos, and money transmitters. - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0277:** "Money transmission" is defined as the acceptance of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency from one person and the transmission of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency to another location or person by any means. - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0278:** A remittance provider is a classic example of a money transmitter. - *Source:* [Regulatory Risks of In-Game and In-App Virtual Currency | Insights | Venable LLP](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2017/05/regulatory-risks-of-ingame-and-inapp-virtual-curre) **Fact 0279:** Today’s guidance does not establish any new regulatory expectations. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0280:** It consolidates current FinCEN regulations, guidance and administrative rulings that relate to money transmission involving virtual currency, and applies the same interpretive criteria to other common business models involving CVC. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0281:** FinCEN’s rules define certain businesses or individuals involved with CVCs as money transmitters subject to the same registration requirements and a range of anti-money laundering, program, recordkeeping, and reporting responsibilities as other money services businesses. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0282:** [...] “FinCEN was the first financial regulator to address virtual currency and the first to assign obligations to related businesses to guard against financial crime,” said FinCEN Director Kenneth A. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0283:** “The money transmitter definition we published in 2011 and the guidance we issued in 2013 clarifying how that definition applies to transactions involving virtual currency have proven to be exceptionally durable. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0284:** Our regulatory approach has been consistent and despite dynamic waves of new financial technologies, products, and services, our original concepts continue to hold true. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0285:** Simply stated, those who accept and transfer value, by any means, must comply with our regulations and the criminal misuse of any methodology remains our fundamental concern.” [...] Contact: Public Affairs, 703-905-3770 Immediate Release WASHINGTON—To provide regulatory certainty for businesses and individuals engaged in expanding fields of financial activity, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued the following guidance, Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Certain Business Models Involving Convertible Virtual Currencies (CVC). - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0286:** The guidance is in response to questions raised by financial institutions, law enforcement, and regulators concerning the regulatory treatment of multiple variations of businesses dealing in CVCs. - *Source:* [New FinCEN Guidance Affirms Its Longstanding Regulatory Framework for Virtual Currencies and a New FinCEN Advisory Warns of Threats Posed by Virtual Currency Misuse | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/new-fincen-guidance-affirms-its-longstanding-regulatory-framework-virtual) **Fact 0287:** #### Loading component... #### Loading component... FinCEN has issued updated guidance addressing the use of crypto currency and other convertible virtual currency (CVC). - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0288:** A portion of this guidance addresses the use of CVC in games. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0289:** The guidance does not establish any new regulatory expectations. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0290:** Rather, it consolidates current FinCEN regulations, guidance and administrative rulings that relate to money transmission involving virtual currency. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0291:** [...] After issuance of the 2011 MSB Final Rule, FinCEN received questions from industry on whether the new rule applied to transactions denominated in all types of virtual currency, including, for example, virtual currency that could only be used inside video games. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0292:** Some persons involved in transactions denominated in CVC sought to register with FinCEN as either currency exchangers or prepaid access providers or sellers, rather than as money transmitters. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0293:** To address these and other issues, on March 18, 2013, FinCEN issued interpretive guidance (“Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies”) on the application of FinCEN’s regulations to transactions involving the acceptance of currency or funds and the transmission of CVC (“2013 VC [...] FinCEN noted that an administrator or exchanger that (1) accepts and transmits a convertible virtual currency or (2) buys or sells convertible virtual currency for any reason is a money transmitter under FinCEN's regulations, unless a limitation to or exemption from the definition applies to the person. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0294:** FinCEN's regulations define the term "money transmitter" as a person that provides money transmission services, or any other person engaged in the transfer of funds. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0295:** The term "money transmission services" means "the acceptance of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency from one person and the transmission of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency to another location or person by any means. - *Source:* [What Game Companies Need to Know About FinCEN’s Updated Guidance on Virtual Currency | Sheppard](https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fincen-cvc) **Fact 0296:** Virtual Currencies F I N C E N G U I D A N C E 2 Section 2 consolidates and explains current FinCEN regulations, previous administrative rulings, and guidance involving the regulation of money transmission under the BSA. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0297:** By consolidating and summarizing rules and interpretation in a single Section, this guidance provides a resource to help financial institutions comply with their existing obligations under the BSA as they relate to current and emerging activities involving CVC. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0298:** Section 3 summarizes the development and content of FinCEN’s 2013 guidance on the application of money transmission regulations to transactions denominated in CVC.3 3. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0299:** FIN-2013-G001, “Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies,” Mar. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0300:** 18, 2013 (“2013 VC [...] After the issuance of the 2011 MSB Final Rule, FinCEN received questions from industry on whether the new rule applied to transactions denominated in all types of virtual currency, including, for example, virtual currency that could only be used inside video games. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0301:** Some persons involved in transactions denominated in CVC sought to register with FinCEN as either currency exchangers or prepaid access providers or sellers, rather than as money transmitters. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0302:** FinCEN also received questions from persons purchasing CVCs to pay for goods or services, or planning to accept CVCs in payment of goods and services sold, concerned about their potential BSA obligations. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0303:** To address these and other issues, on March 18, 2013, FinCEN issued interpretive guidance on the application of FinCEN’s regulations to [...] F I N C E N G U I D A N C E 1 The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing this interpretive guidance to remind persons subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) how FinCEN regulations relating to money services businesses (MSBs) apply to certain business models1 1. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0304:** For a discussion of the concept of “business model” as used within this guidance, see infra, Section 1.1. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0305:** involving money transmission denominated in value that substitutes for currency, specifically, convertible virtual currencies (CVCs).2 2. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0306:** For a discussion of the concepts of “value that substitutes for currency” and “convertible virtual currency” as used within this guidance, see infra, Sections 1.2. - *Source:* [[PDF] FinCEN Guidance, FIN-2019-G001, May 9, 2019](https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/2019-05/FinCEN%20Guidance%20CVC%20FINAL%20508.pdf) **Fact 0307:** Client Alert Consumer & Retail Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP www.pillsburylaw.com | 1 May 16, 2013 Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance on Virtual Currency By Deborah S. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0308:** Broeker FinCEN recently issued interpretive guidance to clarify that it views certain activities involving convertible virtual currencies as money transmission services under the Bank Secrecy Act and FinCEN regulations. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0309:** If your business involves creating, obtaining, distributing, exchanging, accepting, or transmitting virtual currencies, you may be subject to FinCEN’s registration, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0310:** On March 18, 2013, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), under its authority to administer the Bank Secrecy Act [...] “user” of virtual currency is a person that obtains virtual currency to purchase goods or services. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0311:** FinCEN recognizes that a person may “obtain” virtual currency by, for example, earning, harvesting, mining, creating, auto-generating, manufacturing, or purchasing it. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0312:** The Guidance confirms that someone who only qualifies as a “user” of virtual currency is not an MSB under the BSA’s implementing regulations because such activity does not fit within the definition of “money transmission services.” Accordingly, a user of virtual currency is not subject to FinCEN’s registration, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements for MSBs. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0313:** Certain “Exchangers” and “Administrators” of Virtual Currency Are MSBs The Guidance defines an “exchanger” of virtual currency as a person engaged as a business in [...] direction and for the benefit of the user constitutes money transmission under the BSA’s implementing regulations. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0314:** De-Centralized Convertible Virtual Currencies The Guidance identifies an additional type of convertible virtual currency activity that involves de-centralized convertible virtual currency, which is convertible virtual currency that: (1) persons obtain by their own computing or manufacturing effort ; and (2) has no central repository and no single administrator. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0315:** The Guidance confirms that a person that creates units of convertible virtual currency and sells those units to another person for real currency or its equivalent is engaged in transmission to another location and is therefore a money transmitter and an MSB under the BSA’s implementing regulations. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Guidance ...](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/6/5/v2/65525/alert-20-202013-05-16-20consumer-20and-20retail-20-20fincen-2.pdf) **Fact 0316:** The Guidance defines an “exchanger” of virtual currency as a person engaged as a business in the exchange of virtual currency for real currency, funds, or other virtual currency, and an “administrator” of virtual currency as a person engaged as a business in issuing (putting into circulation) a virtual currency, who also has the authority to redeem (to withdraw from circulation) such virtual currency. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Virtual Currency Guidance](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/financial-crimes-enforcement-network-issues-guidance-on-virtual.html) **Fact 0317:** FinCEN concludes that, in contrast to “users” of virtual currency an “exchanger” or an “administrator” that accepts and transmits a convertible virtual currency or buys or sells convertible virtual currency for any reason is a “money transmitter” and therefore is an MSB under the BSA’s implementing regulations, unless the person qualifies for a limitation to or an exemption from the [...] FinCEN analyzed the scenario where convertible virtual currency has a centralized repository, and FinCEN concluded that the administrator of such a repository is a money transmitter and therefore is an MSB under the BSA’s implementing regulations to the extent that the administrator allows transfers of value between persons or from one location to another, regardless of whether the value is denominated in a real currency or a convertible virtual currency. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Virtual Currency Guidance](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/financial-crimes-enforcement-network-issues-guidance-on-virtual.html) **Fact 0318:** In addition, the Guidance provides that an exchanger of convertible virtual currency that uses its access to the convertible virtual currency services provided by the administrator to accept and transmit the convertible virtual currency on behalf of others, including transfers intended to pay third parties for virtual goods and services, [...] “Users” of Virtual Currency Are Not MSBs Under the Guidance, a “user” of virtual currency is a person that obtains virtual currency to purchase goods or services. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Virtual Currency Guidance](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/financial-crimes-enforcement-network-issues-guidance-on-virtual.html) **Fact 0319:** FinCEN recognizes that a person may “obtain” virtual currency by, for example, earning, harvesting, mining, creating, auto-generating, manufacturing, or purchasing it. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Virtual Currency Guidance](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/financial-crimes-enforcement-network-issues-guidance-on-virtual.html) **Fact 0320:** The Guidance confirms that someone who only qualifies as a “user” of virtual currency is not an MSB under the BSA’s implementing regulations because such activity does not fit within the definition of “money transmission services.” Accordingly, a user of virtual currency is not subject to FinCEN’s registration, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements for MSBs. Certain “Exchangers” and “Administrators” of Virtual Currency Are MSBs. - *Source:* [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Issues Virtual Currency Guidance](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/financial-crimes-enforcement-network-issues-guidance-on-virtual.html) **Fact 0321:** The guidance makes clear that an administrator or exchanger of convertible virtual currencies that (1) accepts and transmits a convertible virtual currency or (2) buys or sells convertible virtual currency in exchange for currency of legal tender or another convertible virtual currency for any reason (including when intermediating between a user and a seller of goods or services the user is purchasing on the user’s behalf) is a money transmitter under FinCEN’s regulations, unless a limitation to or exemption from the definition applies to the person.8 The guidance also makes clear that “a user who obtains convertible virtual currency and uses it to purchase real or virtual goods or services is not an MSB under FinCEN’s regulations.” [...] On March 18, 2013, FinCEN issued guidance on the application of FinCEN’s regulations to transactions in virtual currencies (the “guidance”).6 FinCEN’s regulations define currency (also referred to as "real" currency) as “the coin and paper money of the United States or of any other country that [i] is designated as legal tender and that [ii] circulates and [iii] is customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in the country of issuance.”7 In contrast to real currency, “virtual” currency is a medium of exchange that operates like a currency in some environments, but does not have all the attributes of real currency. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Virtual Currency Software Development and Certain Investment Activity | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/administrative-rulings/application-fincens-regulations-virtual) **Fact 0322:** In particular, virtual currency does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Virtual Currency Software Development and Certain Investment Activity | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/administrative-rulings/application-fincens-regulations-virtual) **Fact 0323:** The guidance addresses “convertible” virtual currency. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Virtual Currency Software Development and Certain Investment Activity | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/administrative-rulings/application-fincens-regulations-virtual) **Fact 0324:** This type of virtual [...] To the extent that the Company purchases and sells convertible virtual currency, paying and receiving the equivalent value in currency of legal tender to and from counterparties, all exclusively as investments for its own account, it is not engaged in the business of exchanging convertible virtual currency for currency of legal tender for other persons. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Virtual Currency Software Development and Certain Investment Activity | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/administrative-rulings/application-fincens-regulations-virtual) **Fact 0325:** In effect, when the Company invests in a convertible virtual currency for its own account, and when it realizes the value of its investment, it is acting as a user of that convertible virtual currency within the meaning of the guidance. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Virtual Currency Software Development and Certain Investment Activity | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/administrative-rulings/application-fincens-regulations-virtual) **Fact 0326:** As a result, to the extent that the Company limits its activities strictly to investing in virtual currency for its own account, it is not acting as a money transmitter and is not an MSB under FinCEN’s. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Virtual Currency Software Development and Certain Investment Activity | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/administrative-rulings/application-fincens-regulations-virtual) **Fact 0327:** Keywords Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Virtual currency, Money services business (MSB), Money transmitter, Convertible virtual currency (CVC), Anti-money laundering Paper type Technical paper O n May 9, 2019, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) published interpretive guidance to reiterate how FinCEN’s existing regulations relating to money services businesses (“MSBs”) apply to business models involving convertible virtual currencies (“CVCs”). - *Source:* [FinCEN Issues guidance to synthesize regulatory ...](https://urosario.edu.co/sites/default/files/2022-10/fincen-isses-guidance-to-synthesize-regulatory-framework.pdf) **Fact 0328:** The guidance is the most significant CVC-related guidance that FinCEN has released since its 2013 guidance on the application of money transmission regulations to CVC transactions. - *Source:* [FinCEN Issues guidance to synthesize regulatory ...](https://urosario.edu.co/sites/default/files/2022-10/fincen-isses-guidance-to-synthesize-regulatory-framework.pdf) **Fact 0329:** The guidance does not establish any new regulatory requirements but, rather, synthesizes FinCEN’s existing framework of regulations, [...] FinCEN Issues guidance to synthesize regulatory framework for virtual currency Mike Nonaka, Jenny Konko and Cody Gaffney Abstract Purpose – To summarize FinCEN’s new interpretive guidance on how its regulations apply to business models involving convertible virtual currencies (‘‘CVCs’’). Design/methodology/approach – Highlights the most significant aspects of FinCEN’s CVC guidance, including several of the CVC business models discussed in the guidance. Findings – FinCEN’s latest guidance does not create any new legal requirements but clarifies how existing regulations apply to business models involving CVCs. Practical implications – Practitioners advising on CVC issues should be familiar with FinCEN’s latest guidance and how FinCEN regulations may impact their clients. - *Source:* [FinCEN Issues guidance to synthesize regulatory ...](https://urosario.edu.co/sites/default/files/2022-10/fincen-isses-guidance-to-synthesize-regulatory-framework.pdf) **Fact 0330:** The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") is issuing this interpretive guidance to clarify the applicability of the regulations implementing the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") to persons creating, obtaining, distributing, exchanging, accepting, or transmitting virtual currencies.1 Such persons are referred to in this guidance as "users," "administrators," and "exchangers," all as defined below.2 A user of virtual currency is not an MSB under FinCEN’s regulations and therefore is not subject to MSB registration, reporting, and recordkeeping regulations. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) **Fact 0331:** However, an administrator or exchanger is an MSB under FinCEN’s regulations, specifically, a money transmitter, unless a limitation to or exemption from the definition applies to the person. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) **Fact 0332:** An administrator or exchanger is not a [...] Financial institutions with questions about this guidance or other matters related to compliance with the implementing regulations of the BSA may contact FinCEN’s Regulatory Helpline at (800) 949-2732. 1 FinCEN is issuing this guidance under its authority to administer the Bank Secrecy Act. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) **Fact 0333:** This guidance explains only how FinCEN characterizes certain activities involving virtual currencies under the Bank Secrecy Act and FinCEN regulations. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) **Fact 0334:** It should not be interpreted as a statement by FinCEN about the extent to which those activities comport with other federal or state statutes, rules, regulations, or orders. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) **Fact 0335:** [...] An administrator or exchanger that (1) accepts and transmits a convertible virtual currency or (2) buys or sells convertible virtual currency for any reason is a money transmitter under FinCEN’s regulations, unless a limitation to or exemption from the definition applies to the person.10 FinCEN’s regulations define the term "money transmitter" as a person that provides money transmission services, or any other person engaged in the transfer of funds. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) **Fact 0336:** The term "money transmission services" means "the acceptance of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency from one person and the transmission of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency to another location or person by any means."11. - *Source:* [Application of FinCEN’s Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies | FinCEN.gov](https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/application-fincens-regulations-persons-administering) ## Skinport CSFloat third-party marketplace KYC AML compliance requirements **Fact 0337:** Skinport complies with EU AML and KYC regulations. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0338:** Skinport is licensed under German law as a marketplace operator and adheres to EU anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026 - We Tested the Platform](https://cs2pulse.com/skins-guide/best-places-to-buy-sell-cs2-skins/skinport-review) **Fact 0339:** Since its establishment, it has developed into one of the most popular marketplaces for CS2 with worldwide support and support for multiple languages and currencies. Expert Advice: [...] #### Is Skinport Legit? Yes, Skinport is a licensed marketplace in the EU, operating under strict regulations and security standards. #### Is Skinport Trustworthy? Absolutely. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026 - We Tested the Platform](https://cs2pulse.com/skins-guide/best-places-to-buy-sell-cs2-skins/skinport-review) **Fact 0340:** With KYC verification, SSL encryption, no hidden fees, and a long-standing positive reputation, Skinport is considered one of the most trusted platforms in the skin trading space. Skinport Our Score: Visit Website Receive 3 Cases for Free Bonus Code: farmingless Top-tier CS2 coaching, a structured course, free lessons by real coaches, detailed guides, and practical tips for Counter-Strike 2 players looking to improve. CS2 Training CS2 Coaching CS2 Course CS2 Lessons CS2 Pro Settings CS2 Guides CS2 Tips CS2 Promotional Codes [...] Reddit users also speak highly of Skinport, particularly in comparison threads where it is often named the most trustworthy marketplace, thanks to its KYC compliance and EU licensing. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026 - We Tested the Platform](https://cs2pulse.com/skins-guide/best-places-to-buy-sell-cs2-skins/skinport-review) **Fact 0341:** Criticism tends to center around the lack of instant selling features and crypto support, but these are generally minor compared to the platform’s overall reliability. ## Skinport Sponsorships. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026 - We Tested the Platform](https://cs2pulse.com/skins-guide/best-places-to-buy-sell-cs2-skins/skinport-review) **Fact 0342:** Skinport needs to collect and verify your personal data to meet the legal requirements of the Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. - *Source:* [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)](https://skinport.com/faq) **Fact 0343:** Violations of applicable anti-money laundering laws, terrorist financing laws, or economic sanctions laws, or violations of CSFloat's AML and. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://csfloat.com/terms-of-service) **Fact 0344:** The published requirements are 5,000+ YouTube subscribers with 30,000+ monthly views, 50+ average Twitch viewers with 2,500+ followers, or a website with 5,000+ views. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0345:** Skinport is clear that these are rough guides and approval also depends on your activity and content, so hitting the numbers does not guarantee acceptance. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0346:** You apply by emailing the address on the Skinport affiliate page. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0347:** So if you are a normal player, there is no code that earns you anything, and any Skinport promo link you see online is someone’s affiliate link. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0348:** For disclosure: the call-to-action buttons in this review use our own Skinport affiliate link, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ## Skinport vs Other Marketplaces [...] Selling is a different story, because that is where money leaves the platform. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0349:** To sell and withdraw you have to pass KYC identity verification, and on Skinport that process is run by Adyen, not by Skinport itself. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0350:** The seller account page states it plainly: every seller goes through Adyen’s Know Your Customer checks because payment regulations require it. Skinport seller account page explaining that every seller must complete the KYC process run by Adyen Click to enlarge Skinport seller account page explaining that every seller must complete the KYC process run by Adyen [...] ## What Is Skinport Skinport is a third-party marketplace for buying and selling Counter-Strike 2 skins for real money. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0351:** It is run by Skinport GmbH, a company based in Stuttgart, Germany that was incorporated in 2018, with the Skinport brand launching around 2020. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0352:** It is EU-registered, VAT-inclusive, and processes payments through Adyen, one of the larger regulated payment providers in Europe. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0353:** That corporate footing is the single biggest reason Skinport carries more trust than the average CS2 site. - *Source:* [Skinport Review 2026: Is It Legit, Safe and Worth It? | CS2 Central](https://cs2central.gg/blog/skinport-review) **Fact 0354:** ### Verification of Customer Data Crypto exchanges can verify the authenticity of the information provided by customers in several ways.During account onboarding, a customer will usually upload an image of a government-issued ID and take a selfie. - *Source:* [KYC and AML Requirements for Exchanges and Crypto Marketplaces](https://alphapoint.com/blog/kyc-and-aml-requirements) **Fact 0355:** The digital onboarding software will use facial recognition algorithms to detect the “sameness” between the two submitted images.The government-issued ID can also be run through third-party databases for new client identity verification. - *Source:* [KYC and AML Requirements for Exchanges and Crypto Marketplaces](https://alphapoint.com/blog/kyc-and-aml-requirements) **Fact 0356:** These databases can also match the address listed on that ID (if available) with the address used to open the account.Misspellings, typos, and information that’s only partially correct can serve as red flags to the AML/KYC compliance team, who can then decide the best course of action. - *Source:* [KYC and AML Requirements for Exchanges and Crypto Marketplaces](https://alphapoint.com/blog/kyc-and-aml-requirements) **Fact 0357:** [...] ### Regularly Conduct Internal Audits and Report Them Hire third-party auditors to regularly review the entire compliance, financial/accounting, and IT security programs — and report them. - *Source:* [KYC and AML Requirements for Exchanges and Crypto Marketplaces](https://alphapoint.com/blog/kyc-and-aml-requirements) **Fact 0358:** This will bring confidence and most importantly, trust, in your policies and procedures to regulators, current and potential customers, and the industry at large. ### Manage Compliance With Digital Asset Exchange Software Consider incorporating a platform like AlphaPoint to access risk management capabilities with real-time error checking and support for KYC, AML, and 2FA. ## Streamline Your AML/KYC compliance With AlphaPoint [...] ### Continuous Monitoring and Due Diligence Past customer onboarding, ongoing scrutiny, and diligence in maintaining KYC compliance over time are critical. - *Source:* [KYC and AML Requirements for Exchanges and Crypto Marketplaces](https://alphapoint.com/blog/kyc-and-aml-requirements) **Fact 0359:** Once granted access to the crypto exchange or marketplace, malicious actors can carry out a series of criminal activities, jeopardizing the assets of other customers and putting the entire organization at risk.Crypto marketplaces need to have the proper resources in place, both people and systems, to continuously monitor for suspicious behavior, evaluate that behavior to determine the best course of action, and communicate regularly with regulatory authorities. ## Best Practices for KYC/AML Compliance. - *Source:* [KYC and AML Requirements for Exchanges and Crypto Marketplaces](https://alphapoint.com/blog/kyc-and-aml-requirements) **Fact 0360:** Skinport is one of the few popular skin-trading marketplaces that is fully compliant with all local laws and European. - *Source:* [Skinport | Market Overview](https://csgoskins.gg/markets/skinport) **Fact 0361:** Unlike many other CS:GO/CS2 markets, Skinport is fully compliant with local laws and EU legislation, ensuring that your money is always 100% safe and protected. - *Source:* [Buy & Sell CS2 Skins - Easy and Secure with Skinport](https://skinport.com) **Fact 0362:** I am 16, but with the permission of my parents (so don't worry) I want to sell some skins and have the money in my bank rather than my steam wallet (so. - *Source:* [[question] No KYC for Sellers? : r/csgomarketforum](https://www.reddit.com/r/csgomarketforum/comments/1481uic/question_no_kyc_for_sellers) **Fact 0363:** I wanted to buy some skins and sell at a later date but I feel a bit hesitant about putting in my credentials for KYC. - *Source:* [[q] Is it safe to put in details for KYC? (Skinport)](https://www.reddit.com/r/csgomarketforum/comments/18mpo8m/q_is_it_safe_to_put_in_details_for_kyc_skinport) **Fact 0364:** ### Verifications Government ID Document AI Selfie age estimation Selfie recognition Database checks Phone & email Digital ID NFC ### Risk & screening reports Watchlists Adverse media Profile report Phone & email risk Address lookup Social media lookup ### Use cases AML/KYC compliance Shareable KYC Know Your Business (KYB) Business fraud prevention Age assurance Workforce IDV Background checks Know Your Agent (KYA) Manual review Reverification ### Industries Fintech Marketplaces Digital health Payments Cryptocurrency Government Financial institutions E-learning Higher education ### Business goals Compliance Trust & safety Fraud prevention Global expansion ### Resources [...] Most payment processors don’t require marketplaces to KYC their own buyers or users; the exception, however, is with a high-risk industry like pre-paid gift cards, cryptocurrency, and gambling. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) **Fact 0365:** In those cases, many payment processors would require merchants to verify their customers. _Want a full breakdown of AML legislation?__Here’s the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 explained__._ ## Does that mean your marketplace doesn’t have to do verification or fraud prevention? Not at all. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) **Fact 0366:** As a marketplace, you want to stay fraud-free to protect your bottom line _and_ support your payment processor in doing their job. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) **Fact 0367:** After all, there are a handful of situations that hurt both you and your payment processor. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) **Fact 0368:** [...] Keep reading to learn what your payment processor does, who’s on the hook for AML, and which anti-fraud measures you should be incorporating in your marketplace. ## Are marketplaces responsible for AML laws? The short answer: No, marketplaces aren’t responsible for complying with AML laws. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) **Fact 0369:** The payment processor you partner with is responsible for complying with AML laws, since they’re the one who handles the financial transactions. However, that doesn’t mean your marketplace is completely off the hook. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) **Fact 0370:** You may not be held accountable for _stopping_ AML fraud, but it’s still in your best interest to implement safeguards and systems that help prevent all types of fraud. - *Source:* [Are marketplaces responsible for AML?](https://withpersona.com/blog/marketplaces-responsible-for-aml) ## Steam web API IEconService/GetTradeOffers polling automation limits **Fact 0371:** The Steam Web API has a daily limit of 100,000 calls, and GetTradeOffers returns up to 500 sent or 1000 received offers. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0372:** Polling automation should respect these limits to avoid rate limiting. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0373:** This API gets a list of trade offers (up to a maximum of 500 sent or 1000 received regardless of time_historical_cutoff). - *Source:* [Steam Web API/IEconService](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Steam_Web_API/IEconService) **Fact 0374:** You are limited to one hundred thousand (100,000) calls to the Steam Web API per day. - *Source:* [Need a Steam API 101](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/a4j0eu/need_a_steam_api_101) **Fact 0375:** most calls are limited to 200 requests every 5 minutes. - *Source:* [Need a Steam API 101](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/a4j0eu/need_a_steam_api_101) **Fact 0376:** Steamwork Web API is limited to 100000 request per day as stated in https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms , but i have not found the limit. - *Source:* [steam - API Limit for Steamwork API?](https://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/208916/api-limit-for-steamwork-api) **Fact 0377:** Valve does not publish a precise per-second cap on Steam Web API calls in the public Steamworks docs. - *Source:* [Steam Rate Limits | APIs.io Rate Limits](https://apis.io/rate-limits/steam/steam-rate-limits) **Fact 0378:** The widely documented behavior, confirmed by the Steam Web API Terms of Use, is a soft daily quota of approximately 100,000 calls per Web API key, and a per-IP burst limit that returns HTTP 429 (or HTTP 403 for repeated abuse) once exceeded. - *Source:* [Steam Rate Limits | APIs.io Rate Limits](https://apis.io/rate-limits/steam/steam-rate-limits) **Fact 0379:** Some interfaces (ISteamUser/GetPlayerSummaries) accept up to 100 SteamIDs per request — clients should batch to reduce call volume. - *Source:* [Steam Rate Limits | APIs.io Rate Limits](https://apis.io/rate-limits/steam/steam-rate-limits) **Fact 0380:** The unofficial Storefront API (store.steampowered.com/api/) is more aggressively rate-limited and returns 429 well below the Web API quota. - *Source:* [Steam Rate Limits | APIs.io Rate Limits](https://apis.io/rate-limits/steam/steam-rate-limits) **Fact 0381:** Partner microtransaction interfaces are not subject to the same key-level quota; per the Steamworks documentation they are governed by the per-product Steamworks agreement. - *Source:* [Steam Rate Limits | APIs.io Rate Limits](https://apis.io/rate-limits/steam/steam-rate-limits) **Fact 0382:** [...] Steam Rate Limits is the machine-readable rate-limit profile for Steam on the APIs.io network, conforming to the API Commons Rate Limits specification. It captures 5 rate-limit definitions, measuring calls, requests-per-second, steamids, and api-keys. The profile also includes 4 backoff/retry policies defined and response codes documented for throttled, forbidden, and unauthorized. Tagged areas include Gaming, Valve, Steamworks, Rate Limiting, and Quotas. ### Limits ### Policies ### Sources ## Work with this as data Every rate limit here is available over the APIs.io API and to AI agents over MCP. #### MCP server One button, every client — Claude, Cursor, VS Code and the rest. ` ` #### Tools for rate limits `find_rate_limits` `apis_io_search` `resolve` `find_cohorts` [...] apis.io ###### Taxonomy ###### Business Architecture ###### Use Cases & Features ###### Geography ###### Governance ###### Market ###### Specifications ###### Usage ###### Agents & Governance ###### Security ###### Commercial # Steam Rate Limits. - *Source:* [Steam Rate Limits | APIs.io Rate Limits](https://apis.io/rate-limits/steam/steam-rate-limits) **Fact 0383:** Get counts of pending and new trade offers ``` GET ``` | Name | Type | Required? | Description | --- --- | | key | string | | Access key | | time\_last\_visit | uint32 | | The time the user last visited. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0384:** If not passed, will use the time the user last visited the trade offer page. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0385:** | IEconService/GetTradeHoldDurations Version: 1 Returns the estimated hold duration and end date that a trade with a user would have ``` GET ``` | Name | Type | Required? | Description | --- --- | | key | string | | Access key | | steamid\_target | uint64 | | User you are trading with | | trade\_offer\_access\_token | string | | A special token that allows for trade offers from non-friends. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0386:** | ### IGameNotificationsService IGameNotificationsService/UserCreateSession Version: 1 [...] IEconService/GetTradeOffer Version: 1 Gets a specific trade offer ``` GET ``` | Name | Type | Required? | Description | --- --- | | key | string | | Access key | | tradeofferid | uint64 | | This parameter has no listed description. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0387:** | | language | string | | This parameter has no listed description. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0388:** | | get\_descriptions | bool | | If set, the item display data for the items included in the returned trade offers will also be returned. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0389:** If one or more descriptions can't be retrieved, then your request will fail. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0390:** | IEconService/GetTradeOffersSummary Version: 1 Get counts of pending and new trade offers ``` GET ``` [...] | matches\_requested | string | | The number of requested matches to return (maximum 100) |. - *Source:* [Better Steam Web API Documentation](https://steamwebapi.azurewebsites.net) **Fact 0391:** max_trades, uint32, ✓, The number of trades to return information for. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface - Sign in to Steamworks](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice?language=czech) **Fact 0392:** | Name | Type | Required | Description | --- --- | | key | string | ✔ | Steamworks Web API user authentication key. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0393:** | | max\_trades | uint32 | ✔ | The number of trades to return information for | | start\_after\_time | uint32 | ✔ | The time of the last trade shown on the previous page of results, or the time of the first trade if navigating back | | start\_after\_tradeid | uint64 | ✔ | The tradeid shown on the previous page of results, or the ID of the first trade if navigating back | | navigating\_back | bool | ✔ | The user wants the previous page of results, so return the previous max\_trades trades before the start time and ID | | get\_descriptions | bool | ✔ | If set, the item display data for the items included in the returned trades will also be returned | [...] Get a list of sent or received trade offers ## GetTradeOffer GET | Name | Type | Required | Description | --- --- | | key | string | ✔ | Steamworks Web API user authentication key. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0394:** | | tradeofferid | uint64 | ✔ | | language | string | ✔ | Gets a specific trade offer ## GetTradeOffersSummary GET | Name | Type | Required | Description | --- --- | | key | string | ✔ | Steamworks Web API user authentication key. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0395:** | | time\_last\_visit | uint32 | ✔ | The time the user last visited. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0396:** If not passed, will use the time the user last visited the trade offer page. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0397:** | Get counts of pending and new trade offers Steamworks is the set of tools and services built by Valve that help you configure, manage, and operate your game on Steam. []( [...] Flushes the cache of inventory contents. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0398:** This will result in calls to GetContexts and GetContextContents to get fresh data for each user next time Steam needs their inventory. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0399:** NOTE: This call requires a publisher API key to use this method. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0400:** As such this API MUST be called from a secure server, and can never be used directly by clients! ## GetTradeOffers GET. - *Source:* [IEconService Interface (Steamworks Documentation)](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/webapi/ieconservice) **Fact 0401:** Just discovered that IEconService/GetTradeOffers/v1/ stopped returning any data:{"response": {"next_cursor": 0}}Any workaround how to get a list. - *Source:* [[Question] https://api.steampowered.com/IEconService ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamBot/comments/1bun9xp/question) **Fact 0402:** You may not use the Steam Web API or Steam Data in any way that violates the Steam Subscriber Agreement. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0403:** You may not use the Steam Web API in any way that degrades the operation or performance of Steam or any games distributed via Steam. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0404:** You agree that you will not create or assist third parties in any way to create any technology or functionality that may give a user an unfair competitive advantage when playing multiplayer versions of any Steam game. You may not use the Steam Web API or Steam Data for unsolicited marketing communications. You are limited to one hundred thousand (100,000) calls to the Steam Web API per day. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0405:** You and Valve are independent contractors, and nothing in these API Terms of Use shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relationship, a partnership, or a joint venture. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0406:** While you may publicly refer to the fact that you have implemented the Steam Web API, you agree not make any other public statements that assert or imply any other relationship with Valve, unless you have Valve's prior written approval. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0407:** The Steam Web APIs are Valve's service allowing licensees to retrieve certain data regarding Steam and games available via Steam ("Steam Data"). - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0408:** The Steam Web APIs consist of multiple application program interfaces for retrieving various Steam Data, and presenting the Steam Data to end users via a web site, software application, or service owned and operated by you and identified in the your API key sign up form (the "Application"). - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0409:** These items are further defined in the Steam Web API documentation. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0410:** Valve makes the Steam Web API available free, and you understand that Valve may change or terminate the Steam Web API entirely or your access in particular. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0411:** Valve may identify new releases from time to time at this link, and may require you to use the most recent version. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Web API Terms of Use](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apiterms) **Fact 0412:** I have followed the API doc but my response is not as expected. - *Source:* [cannot GetTradeOffers from Steam APIs](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/73761500/cannot-gettradeoffers-from-steam-apis) **Fact 0413:** https://api.steampowered.com/IEconService/GetTradeOffers/v1?key={key. - *Source:* [cannot GetTradeOffers from Steam APIs](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/73761500/cannot-gettradeoffers-from-steam-apis) ## CSFloat removed public Asset ID from Steam inventory in 2017 impact on scraping **Fact 0414:** In 2017, CSFloat removed public asset IDs from Steam inventory, impacting scraping methods. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0415:** This change forced sites to adapt to new tracking methods. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0416:** Float values became harder to track without original IDs. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0417:** Failing to keep your inventory of CSFloat Items public on your Steam account. - *Source:* [Terms of Service - CSFloat](https://csfloat.com/terms-of-service) **Fact 0418:** will be permanently banned … account may be forfeited. - *Source:* [Terms of Service - CSFloat](https://csfloat.com/terms-of-service) **Fact 0419:** ## A New Way To Get Float Values Before the endpoint was closed in 2017, there existed another method to get the float value. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0420:** The pursuit of finding this method was mainly to allow inspecting the float value of items listed on the Steam Community Market which the endpoint didn't allow. This utilized reverse engineering the network protocol that CS:GO runs in order to replicate how the game handles "inspecting" an item in-game. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0421:** The creation of CSGOFloat was originally in the pursuit of developing this method and allowing users to fetch floats for SCM listings (turns out a bunch of people figured it out at around the same time). - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0422:** [...] This endpoint had something unique that no others did, in addition to float values, it also contained an "original id" for an item. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0423:** This was the original asset id of the item and would never change even if the item was traded. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0424:** By default, every time an item is traded, the asset id changes. This allowed sites like CSGOExchange to easily track where items went by just seeing if the original id matches to any item they've already seen. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0425:** If they haven't cataloged the original id before, it must be a new item! Unfortunately, back in 2017, Valve decided to close down the endpoint and permanently prevented the community from obtaining the original ids of items. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0426:** So we had to adapt... ## A New Way To Get Float Values [...] # How FloatDB Tracks Skins ## CSFloat Read more posts by this author. #### CSFloat • 4 min read We get questions all the time asking how FloatDB catalogs items and why unapplied stickers aren't tracked. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0427:** Hopefully this blog post helps clear that up! ## Lineage of Tracking CS:GO Items Back in the good ol' days, when the discovery of float values was new and no one had mobile authenticators, there used to be an endpoint that showed very detailed data about the state of a user's inventory (). Ever since float values were discovered, people realized the only way to retrieve it was by querying this endpoint. - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0428:** As a result, many sites such as CSGOExchange popped up allowing you to query this endpoint but it was incredibly unstable and spammed by many... - *Source:* [How FloatDB Tracks Skins](https://blog.csgofloat.com/how-floatdb-tracks-items) **Fact 0429:** sadly they removed it after few hours ⚡️ Steam update: float and pattern are now visible in inventory?! Wear and pattern numbers now appear in. - *Source:* [UPD: sadly they removed it after few hours ⚡️ Steam update: float ...](https://www.facebook.com/csmoneytrade/posts/upd-sadly-they-removed-it-after-few-hours-%EF%B8%8F-steam-update-float-and-pattern-are-n/1225088969655534) **Fact 0430:** It's simple, if the inventory is empty or private, block. - *Source:* [[psa]Don't hide your steam profile on Csfloat](https://www.reddit.com/r/csgomarketforum/comments/1o6bl2w/psadont_hide_your_steam_profile_on_csfloat) **Fact 0431:** if it still saying it private, then go clear cache, and cookies on your browser, and look again. - *Source:* [Steam inventory says its public but its not!?! please help](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/6756004301609676002) **Fact 0432:** The idea is to let users import their Steam inventory into my site so they can manage their skins (track buys, sells, profit, etc). - *Source:* [Steam Inventory Scraper Doubt : r/webscraping](https://www.reddit.com/r/webscraping/comments/1rqi652/steam_inventory_scraper_doubt) **Fact 0433:** ### Step 2: Understand Steam's Robots.txt File Prior to engaging in Steam data scraping, it is imperative to consult the website's robots.txt file, accessible at This file outlines the rules and permissions for web scraping on the Steam Store platform. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0434:** Adhering to these guidelines is crucial to uphold ethical practices in Steam Store data scraping. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0435:** Whether you're utilizing a Steam web scraper or other web scraping services, respecting and following the directives in the robots.txt file ensures a responsible and ethical approach to extracting valuable insights from the Steam Store. ### Step 3: Identify the Data You Need [...] ### Step 4: Make HTTP Requests Employ the Python requests library to initiate HTTP requests to the Steam Store's website for seamless Steam data scraping. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0436:** Retrieve the HTML content from the specific pages earmarked for scraping. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0437:** For instance: Make-HTTP-Requests Whether using a dedicated Steam web scraper or leveraging web scraping services, this step forms the foundation for extracting valuable insights from the Steam Store's digital domain. ### Step 5: Parse HTML with BeautifulSoup Leverage BeautifulSoup, a powerful tool for Steam data scraping, to parse the HTML content retrieved earlier and extract pertinent information. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0438:** Identify the HTML tags and classes linked to the data of interest. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0439:** For instance, to harvest game titles: parse-HTML-with-BeautifulSoup [...] Disclaimer : RealData API functions solely as an independent data infrastructure and technology solutions provider. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0440:** We build customized automation workflows designed to collect publicly accessible web data based exclusively on client instructions. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0441:** RealData API neither owns proprietary datasets nor engages in the sale or redistribution of extracted information. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0442:** Our operations are limited strictly to lawful public web data processing and never involve unauthorized access to restricted systems or private networks. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0443:** Any company names, trademarks, logos, or brand references displayed on this website are used purely for demonstrative and illustrative purposes to showcase our technical capabilities and do not imply endorsement, partnership, or affiliation. - *Source:* [Steam Store Data Scraping: A Complete Guide](https://www.realdataapi.com/scrape-steam-store-data-a-comprehensive-guide.php) **Fact 0444:** `npm install` Open a folder named `'Saves'`, `'Saves'` Configure settings according to the documentation, Open console on project directory, Type `node index.js` `node index.js` ### Configuring Settings In this section you're going to learn meaning of every line in `config.json` file. `config.json` `config.json` file has a structure like this; `config.json` Let's explain lines one by one. `"game": 730` line is for game id if you don't put the right game id you won't get right results. `"game": 730` `"contextid":"2"` is 2 by default. `"contextid":"2"` `"searchFor":"item-name"` change the `item-name` line by your need it's `AK-47` by default. `"searchFor":"item-name"` `item-name` `AK-47` [...] ## Navigation Menu ## Latest commit ## History ## Folders and files | Name | | Name | Last commit message | Last commit date | --- --- | docs | | docs | | | | README.md | | README.md | | | | SETUP.bat | | SETUP.bat | | | | config.json | | config.json | | | | index.js | | index.js | | | | package-lock.json | | package-lock.json | | | | package.json | | package.json | | | | users.json | | users.json | | | | View all files | | | ## Repository files navigation # Steam Inventory Scraper Search, scrape, list inventories of players with ease. ## Setup ### Simple Way(New) `SETUP.bat` ### Long Way Open terminal on project directory, Type `git clone `git clone Type `npm install`, `npm install` Open a folder named `'Saves'`, `'Saves'` [...] `"searchFor":"item-name"` `item-name` `AK-47` `"mode":"list"` this line is where things get serious because there are 3 modes and every mode have a different result. - *Source:* [GitHub - yussufbiyik/steam-inventory-scraper: 🧙‍♀️ Search, scrape, list inventories of players with ease. · GitHub](https://github.com/yussufbiyik/steam-inventory-scraper) **Fact 0445:** Go to modes for more info about modes. `"mode":"list"` #### Modes There are 3 different modes which does the same job but giving the results in a different way. `Scrape` `Search` `List` ## About 🧙‍♀️ Search, scrape, list inventories of players with ease. ### Topics ### Resources ### Stars ### Watchers ### Forks ## Releases ## Packages ## Used by ## Contributors ## Languages ## Footer ### Footer navigation. - *Source:* [GitHub - yussufbiyik/steam-inventory-scraper: 🧙‍♀️ Search, scrape, list inventories of players with ease. · GitHub](https://github.com/yussufbiyik/steam-inventory-scraper) **Fact 0446:** Steam Web API using a target user's Steam 64-bit ID to retrieve their public items. - *Source:* [How To Use Steam Web API to Fetch CS2 Inventory Data ... - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLxAMnmiN-Q) **Fact 0447:** If the developer/publisher was banned from Steam, then you can still trade those items, but no longer sell them. - *Source:* [What happens to Steam inventory items when a game is removed ...](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/3183488724678142449) ## Steam Card Exchange bot network scale and badge crafting XP ladder mechanics **Fact 0448:** Steam Card Exchange bots help level up by crafting badges, each granting 100 XP, with higher levels requiring more badges. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0449:** Badge crafting is the main XP source, with rare foils for special badges. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0450:** XP increases Steam account level, with no other significant XP sources. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0451:** Steam card bots are the best choice for leveling up because they sell complete card sets used for badge crafting. - *Source:* [Steam Trading Bot Categories 2026 - Card, Foil, Gem ...](https://www.steamtradebots.com/categories) **Fact 0452:** Craft badges (100 XP per badge, can up to 5 levels of regular and 1 Foil Badge per game, special badges have no limit) Collect games (1 XP per non-Free to Play. - *Source:* [Steam Level | Steam Trading Cards Wiki - Fandom](https://steamtradingcards.fandom.com/wiki/Steam_Level) **Fact 0453:** A crafted badge starts at level 1 and can go up to level 5. - *Source:* [No idea how to do badges or levels. : r/Steam - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/15nce1r/no_idea_how_to_do_badges_or_levels) **Fact 0454:** Each badge upgrade or craft grants 100 XP to your overall profile level. - *Source:* [No idea how to do badges or levels. : r/Steam - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/15nce1r/no_idea_how_to_do_badges_or_levels) **Fact 0455:** [1:38] need to have the game you just can craft the badges anyway lastly if everything i said was too much work you can always look for some steam bots that trade a set of cards to level up here on the screen now are some of the [1:47] bots i've seen that are all reputable and will get you exactly what you pay for now with all that completed you probably have a bunch of steam badges that you can craft all you need to do is click ready which [1:55] will craft you your badge as well as reward you with a bunch of xp do this enough times and you'll level up in no time keep in mind that the higher level you are the more badge you'll have to craft to level up [...] [0:52] pack you can also click on the badge you're trying to craft and steam will list your friends that currently have the cards you're missing and you can offer trade to try and get them most people i know [0:59] in my friends list don't really care about their cards and more often than not you can just ask someone to give you a card and they'll most likely say yeah now onto the not so free option as i [1:07] said earlier if you have a few dollars laying around in your steam inventory or you're willing to sell some items to level up you can pay money on the steam market to buy remaining cards for a badge it's [...] ### Transcript [0:00] are you tired of looking like a scammer every time you want to add someone on steam do you wish you could add some extra flair to your profile do you want to get steam level 69 just for the memes [0:07] this video will help you do that and for little to no cost [0:10] [Music] [0:12] so to get things started if you want to level up your steam profile there's only one way you can do that right now which is by crafting badges badges are these little icons you can [0:20] display on your profile and to craft one you need to have a set of steam trading cards trading cards are obtained via trading the steam market or by grinding out on a game that you own that allows for. - *Source:* [Steam Badge Crafting Guide - 2021 Edition!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaGuyJmx18I) **Fact 0456:** Every 10 levels of your steam account level (up to 100) increases odds that you'll be the one by a bit. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0457:** If people aren't making badges and/or too many people are eligible. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0458:** Even during summer sale, I bought cards cheap like lots of other people and crafted badges. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0459:** Oh, each badge gives 100xp, but like anything levels take more as you go up. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0460:** The summer badge I to level 9 (which was 100xp/level also) by crafting tons of badges. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0461:** Look at your profile - games, not your actual library. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0462:** Events are the only other place to sometimes get xp. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0463:** [...] I'm at: Level 35, XP 8,129 (total, that much to be 35) 271 XP to reach Level 36 61 badges, 147 games (that count, on profile) personal library says 361 games. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0464:** 12 years of service badge, which got me 600 xp, so, 50 xp a year. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0465:** Game collector Badge for 100+ games, (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 etc all the way up to 28k somehow) steamcommunity.com/.../ [...] So, you have to acquire however many cards your missing, then turn them all in to craft 1 badge for that game. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0466:** Oh, did I mention there's rare foils that can only be used once you get a set of foils for a foil badge? Once you have all the drops you can earn, you are eligible for a free booster. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0467:** What that actually means is, when someone crafts 1 level of a badge for a game, out of everyone else on steam who's logged on in the past week that has that specific game booster eligible, one singular user gets one booster. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0468:** A booster is a pack of 3 random cards, for that game only. - *Source:* [Steam trading cards, booster packs, badges, xp. How does it work?](https://gaming.lenovo.com/pc-gaming/post/steam-trading-cards-booster-packs-badges-xp-how-does-it-work-lYJ4k8MCu13Dc0r) **Fact 0469:** What exactly are Steam Trading Cards? Steam Trading Cards are virtual trading cards. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0470:** They can be earned by playing games on Steam, participating at events on steam, opening Booster Packs or spending a certain amount of money in specific games. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0471:** Sets of cards can be turned into game badges and tradable Steam community items. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0472:** Crafting badges also grants experience points to level up your steam profile and unlock new features. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0473:** For a detailed introduction into Steam Trading Cards see the official guide: [Steam Trading Cards -- [ Credits What are credits? We use credits as a currency for our Trading Bot. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0474:** They are meant to display the real monetary value of a Trading Card. How do you calculate the credit value? [...] SteamCardExchange.net is a website dedicated to the Steam Trading Card system. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0475:** It features a Showcase with all Trading Cards and the biggest collection of Emoticons, Backgrounds and Artworks. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0476:** Beside that it offers several Tools such as a Trading Bot to trade your Cards, a Badgeprice calculator, a Background Viewer, a Boosterpack pricelist and many more. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0477:** [...] To calculate the credit value we use a complex formula with tons of math and market data. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0478:** It includes several variables such as the current market price, the latest sales, Gem value and average prices of the other cards from that specific set. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0479:** Usually the Gem value should be reflected in the market price as lots of people compare the gems-per-cent ratio of Sack of Gems with the gems-per-cent ratio of Trading Cards/Backgrounds/Emotes. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0480:** If an item is undervalued and offers a better gems-per-cent ratio than a Sack of Gems people will buy it to make a profit. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0481:** Also Gems can be used to craft Booster packs, which equals 3 cards. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0482:** If it's profitable to buy Gems, craft Boosters and sell the cards someone will do it, which artificially increases the price even further. - *Source:* [FAQ :: Steam Card Exchange](https://www.steamcardexchange.net/index.php?faq=) **Fact 0483:** Steam Level Up Bots || Most Cost Efficient Way to Level Up || $0.15 a Badge. - *Source:* [Most Cost Efficient Way to Level Up || $0.15 a Badge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8M3XvtSdm0) **Fact 0484:** Steam Card Exchange - Trading Bot, Steam Cards, Items. - *Source:* [Most Cost Efficient Way to Level Up || $0.15 a Badge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8M3XvtSdm0) **Fact 0485:** You never get XP from only cards, you get XP from crafting badges and buying games (2-3 xp per game) and some special badges such as "X+ games. - *Source:* [If I earn trading cards on steam when level 10 do I have to craft ...](https://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/275478/if-i-earn-trading-cards-on-steam-when-level-10-do-i-have-to-craft-badges-for-xp) **Fact 0486:** [6:42] Obviously, they spent a lot of money to get this done, but you get the point. [6:46] These things can be scaled really, really high. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0487:** And it is a super easy way to level up your account as you're just buying the same cards over and over and [6:53] crafting the same badge. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0488:** No thought required, just a bit of money, or in this case, a lot of money. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0489:** That [7:02] being said, don't confuse Steam sale badges for Steam sale collection badges. [7:08] These ones have a limit of level 40 or 4,000 XP and can be purchased for free from the Steam point shop by trading [7:16] Steam points for different levels in these badges here. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0490:** And of course, you do actually need Steam points to purchase [...] [1:44] During events like the summer and winter sales on Steam, they oftent times have badges which don't have any kind of a level limit and hence can earn you a ton [1:52] of XP to level up your account really quickly. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0491:** When you craft a badge, you'll also get a random emoticon and profile background as well as a chance for a [2:00] discount for a game. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0492:** And during Steam sales like the summer and winter sale, you'll also earn a trading card drop for that badge during its own sale. [2:08] Unfortunately though, to use trading cards and craft badges, you'll need to have spent at least a little bit of money during the last year on Steam, so [...] [1:10] maximum of 2,000. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0493:** Then for every 10 levels on your Steam account, you'll also unlock another showcase slot which you can use to display achievements, [1:18] videos, items, and more on your Steam profile up to a maximum of 20. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0494:** Not only this, but also booster packs containing a few trading cards for games that [1:26] you've already collected all of the free card drops for happen to drop randomly with a higher frequency the higher your Steam account is leveled. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0495:** If you're [1:34] using trading cards to level up your account by crafting badges, each badge usually gives you around 100 XP to a maximum of 500 XP at a level five. - *Source:* [FASTEST Steam Level Guide *2025* | Quickest Steam Levelling Methods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isusz-FGums) **Fact 0496:** What do I do if I'm unhappy about a trade I made? All trades are final; make sure you really want to make a trade before confirming. How many badges do I need to increase my Steam Level? When you get started, each badge you craft will increase your level. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0497:** Most badges give 100 XP, and it takes 100 XP to get to the next level. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0498:** The amount needed to level up increases every 10 levels, meaning after Steam Level 10 you'll need 200XP per level, after level 20 you'll need 300XP per level, etc. What is the point of my Steam Level? The Steam Level is a quick way for users to see how much someone has invested in their Steam account. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0499:** We have just a few different ways to get badges right now, but we hope to expand that to include all the different ways users contribute. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0500:** [...] Can I upgrade my game badge? If you gather another complete set of trading cards for the same game you can upgrade that game badge. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0501:** You can craft a set for the same game at most five times. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0502:** Each time you upgrade the game badge you'll get an extra 100XP, as well as upgrading the image and title of the badge. What is my Steam Level? Your Steam Level is a summary of your badges and shows off your trading card collection and participation in Steam events. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0503:** Each badge earned increases your XP, and every 100 XP gives you an added Steam Level (at least to start). How do I feature a badge? You can select any completed badge from your Badges page. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0504:** Your featured badge will display at the top of your profile and in the mini profile you see when you hover over your avatar. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) **Fact 0505:** [...] How can I see which cards I have, or cards I don't have? From your Badges page, under the "Badges in Progress" tab select a badge to view the card set, including cards you own and cards remaining. What do I get when I craft a badge from my Trading Cards? In addition to getting the Game Badge itself, you'll get: a random emoticon item created for this game, that can use in chat or discussions; a random profile background item created for this game, that can use on your Steam Community profile a chance to get a discount coupon for a different game or DLC 100XP, which may increase your Steam Level If your Steam Level increases, the limit on the size of your friends list will be increased by five, and potentially you'll unlock the ability to customize your profile with showcases. - *Source:* [Steam Community :: Steam Trading Cards](https://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq) ## VACNet algorithmic opacity and EU Digital Services Act (DSA) compliance shadowbans **Fact 0506:** The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) mandates algorithmic transparency and prohibits shadowbans, with compliance enforced through fines and audits. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0507:** The DSA became fully applicable in February 2024, targeting illegal content and platform accountability. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0508:** Non-compliance can result in significant financial penalties. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0509:** The DSA’s algorithmic transparency and accountability requirements complement other EU AI regulatory efforts driving a growing number of legislative proposals such as the AI Act and the AI Liability Directive. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0510:** The AI Act, for example, will regulate the use of AI in specific sectors, including a ban on specific AI systems posing “unacceptable risk.” Similar legislative efforts are ongoing in the United States—in July 2022, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the proposed American Data Privacy and Protection Act (“ADPPA”), which would, among other things, impose evaluation and reporting requirements for artificial intelligence tools and establish a Bureau of Privacy at the Federal Trade Commission to enforce its provisions. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0511:** [...] Sanctions Failure to comply with any obligation under the DSA could result in a fine of up to 6 percent of the annual worldwide turnover of the provider of intermediary services concerned in the preceding financial year (Art. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0512:** The maximum fine for non-compliance under the DSA is therefore even higher than what is available under other EU legislation such as the GDPR. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0513:** The provision of incorrect, incomplete or misleading information to the competent authorities may lead to fines of up to 1 percent of the annual worldwide turnover. For VLOPs and VLOSEs [...] With an effective date of February 17, 2024, the Digital Services Act ("DSA") will start applying to most online platform providers in less than a year. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0514:** The DSA, which introduces due diligence and transparency obligations regarding algorithmic decision-making by online platforms, such as social media, video sharing or e-commerce, entered into force on November 16, 2022. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0515:** For providers of Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs)—providers reaching 45 million EU users monthly—the DSA may apply four months following a notification to the provider concerned, which will be a date earlier than February 17, 2024. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0516:** In this Legal Update, we provide further detail on these obligations and note the steps businesses can take to comply with the DSA. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act’s Effects on Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability | Insights | Mayer Brown](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/eu-digital-services-acts-effects-on-algorithmic-transparency-and-accountability) **Fact 0517:** This paper offers a legal perspective on the phenomenon of shadow banning: content moderation sanctions which are undetectable to those affected. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0518:** Drawing on recent social science research, it connects current concerns about shadow banning to novel visibility management techniques in content moderation, such as delisting and demotion. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0519:** Conventional moderation techniques such as outright content removal or account suspension can be observed by those affected, but these new visibility often cannot. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0520:** This lends newfound significance to the legal question of moderation transparency rights. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0521:** The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is analysed in this light, as the first major legislation to regulate transparency of visibility remedies. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0522:** In effect, its due process framework prohibits shadow banning with [...] its due process framework prohibits shadow banning with only limited exceptions. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0523:** In doing so, the DSA surfaces tensions between two competing models for content moderation: as rule-bound administration or as adversarial security conflict. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0524:** I discuss possible interpretations and trade-offs for this regime, and then turn to a more fundamental problem: how to define visibility reduction as a category of content moderation actions. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0525:** The concept of visibility reduction or ‘demotions’ is central to both the shadow banning imaginary and to the DSA's safeguards, but its meaning is far from straightforward. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0526:** Responding to claims that demotion is entirely relative, and therefore not actionable as a category of content moderation sanctions, I show how visibility reduction can still be regulated when. - *Source:* [An end to shadow banning? Transparency rights in the Digital Services Act between content moderation and curation](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364923000018) **Fact 0527:** The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is no longer an emerging framework; it is an actively enforced regulation reshaping how digital platforms manage risk, transparency, and accountability across the EU digital space. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance | Nemko Digital](https://digital.nemko.com/regulations/eu-digital-services-act-dsa-compliance) **Fact 0528:** Since becoming fully applicable in February 2024, the DSA has entered a decisive enforcement phase, with investigations, fines, and structural compliance expectations intensifying across 2025–2026 (European Council overview of the Digital Services Act). - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance | Nemko Digital](https://digital.nemko.com/regulations/eu-digital-services-act-dsa-compliance) **Fact 0529:** For organizations operating in or targeting the EU market, EU Digital Services Act compliance (and broader DSA compliance) is now a core operational requirement—and a strategic opportunity to build digital trust at scale through clear rules, measurable service standards, and verifiable transparency ethics. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance | Nemko Digital](https://digital.nemko.com/regulations/eu-digital-services-act-dsa-compliance) **Fact 0530:** [...] Operational Insight: Effective compliance requires scalable, auditable moderation systems—not reactive workflows—and consistent handling of reported content, including edge cases like alleged illegal hate speech (where definitions and legal thresholds vary by context and Member State). #### #### 2. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance | Nemko Digital](https://digital.nemko.com/regulations/eu-digital-services-act-dsa-compliance) **Fact 0531:** Transparency as a System Capability The DSA mandates transparency across: Content moderation decisions Advertising systems (ad transparency) Algorithmic recommendations and algorithmic recommender systems [...] ## What is the Digital Services Act? Figure 1: DSA aims to create a safe, transparent, and accountable online ecosystem, addressing risks such as illegal content, disinformation, and harmful platform design The DSA—formally Regulation (EU) 2022/2065—establishes a harmonized framework for digital services across the EU, introducing due diligence obligations for intermediaries and enhanced responsibilities for large platforms and other digital service providers (including marketplaces, content-sharing platforms, and certain search engines). You can review the official Digital Services Act text on EUR-Lex for full legal details. - *Source:* [EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance | Nemko Digital](https://digital.nemko.com/regulations/eu-digital-services-act-dsa-compliance) **Fact 0532:** The Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU regulation that entered into force in 2022, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for digital services. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Services_Act) **Fact 0533:** The Digital Services Act was formally adopted on 19 October 2022. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0534:** It was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 27 October 2022. On 25 August 2023 the DSA began applying to entities designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs), following their formal designation by the European Commission in April 2023. On 17 February 2024 the majority of the DSA’s provisions became applicable across the EU. Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Search Engines (VLOSEs) became subject to mandatory risk assessments (Article 34), mitigation measures (Article 35), algorithmic transparency, and independent audits. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0535:** [...] During the second quarter of 2024, the Commission publicly confirmed that it had initiated formal proceedings against several major online platforms, and required detailed documentation on content moderation systems, algorithmic recommender systems, and advertising transparency. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0536:** Also, the Commission begun assessments of compliance with Articles 34 and 35 (systemic risk and mitigation measures). From mid 2024 onward, the Commission’s enforcement expanded into ongoing audits and compliance dialogues, preparation for potential imposition of interim measures, and preparation for administrative fines and periodic penalty payments where non compliance is established. Phase 3 (Late 2024–2025). - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0537:** The regulatory disagreements escalated into geopolitical confrontation. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0538:** [...] # Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance What is the Digital Services Act (DSA)? The Digital Services Act is the most important and most ambitious regulation in the world in the field of the protection of the digital space against the spread of illegal content, and the protection of users’ fundamental rights. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0539:** There is no other legislative act in the world having this level of ambition to regulate social media, online marketplaces, very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs). - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0540:** The rules are designed asymmetrically: Larger intermediary services with significant societal impact (VLOPs and VLOSEs) are subject to stricter rules. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act (DSA) | Updates, Compliance, Training](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com) **Fact 0541:** ## What is the DSA, and why do we need it? The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a regulation that aims to force online services like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X and others to do more to tackle the spread of illegal content and other societal risks on their services in the EU – or else risk fines for non-compliance. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0542:** It is directed at ‘online intermediaries’ such as social media platforms, search engines, and online marketplaces – more information can be found on the EU Commission website%20applies%20to%20all%20online%20intermediaries%20and%20platforms%20in%20the%20EU%2C%20for). - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0543:** Together with its sister legislation, the Digital Markets Act, it establishes a single set of rules that apply across the whole EU and sets a potential global standard in platform governance. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0544:** [...] The DSA aims to end an era in which tech companies have essentially regulated themselves – setting their own policies on how to moderate content, and issuing “transparency reports” about their efforts to combat harms like disinformation that have been practically impossible for third parties to scrutinize. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0545:** The DSA set out to change this status quo by forcing platforms to be more transparent about how their algorithmic systems work, and holding them to account for the societal risks stemming from the use of their services. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0546:** Yet, the enforcement of rules is only coming on with delays. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0547:** [...] Obligations for the largest platforms to mitigate “systemic risks”: EU lawmakers recognized that the largest platforms pose greater potential risks to society – such “systemic risks” include negative effects on fundamental rights, civic discourse and elections, gender-based violence, and public health. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0548:** That’s why the DSA obligates VLOPs and VLOSEs to formally assess how their products, including algorithmic systems, may exacerbate these risks to society and to take measurable steps to prevent them. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0549:** While the concept of “systemic risks” remains vague, it provides opportunities for researchers and civil society organizations to investigate and contribute to the implementation and enforcement of the DSA (for more details, see our publications: Researching Systemic Risks under the DSA & A. - *Source:* [A guide to the Digital Services Act, the EU’s law to rein in Big Tech - AlgorithmWatch](https://algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-explained) **Fact 0550:** This piece of legislation, applicable as of February 2024, establishes user safety protections, safeguards fundamental rights, and creates equitable conditions for online platform operations. - *Source:* [What is DSA: The Digital Services Act Explained - EDAA](https://edaa.eu/digital-services-act) **Fact 0551:** The DSA updates the eCommerce Directive in EU law and applies to all online intermediaries offering services within the EU’s single market, regardless of their place of establishment. The DSA constitutes a fundamental shift in digital governance, moving beyond the 20-year-old e-Commerce Directive to address contemporary challenges including algorithmic manipulation, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and platform market concentration. - *Source:* [What is DSA: The Digital Services Act Explained - EDAA](https://edaa.eu/digital-services-act) **Fact 0552:** The regulation operates in direct conjunction with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to establish comprehensive digital governance across the European Union. - *Source:* [What is DSA: The Digital Services Act Explained - EDAA](https://edaa.eu/digital-services-act) **Fact 0553:** [...] ▶ Ensuring transparency in advertising, content moderation and algorithmic systems: Requiring platforms to provide background information for digital ads, offer explanations for content decisions and make recommendation algorithms transparent to users and researchers. ▶ Safeguarding fundamental rights online: Prioritising protection of freedom of expression, privacy, and other rights guaranteed by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. ▶ Creating accountability for systemic risks: Mandating that large platforms identify and mitigate risks their services pose to democracy, public health, civic discourse, and fundamental rights. - *Source:* [What is DSA: The Digital Services Act Explained - EDAA](https://edaa.eu/digital-services-act) **Fact 0554:** [...] Understand what the DSA means for consumers DSA transparency requirements extend beyond advertising to encompass recommender systems, providing users insight into content curation processes and the ability to modify algorithmic parameters. - *Source:* [What is DSA: The Digital Services Act Explained - EDAA](https://edaa.eu/digital-services-act) **Fact 0555:** The regulation establishes comprehensive complaint and redress mechanisms, ensuring effective challenges to platform decisions and access to remedies where applicable. DSA Enforcement and penalties ## Enforcement and Penalties. - *Source:* [What is DSA: The Digital Services Act Explained - EDAA](https://edaa.eu/digital-services-act) **Fact 0556:** Burger Menu Icon knowledge 21 November 2023 | # Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement Ireland is home to 13 of the 17 “Very Large Online Platforms” (“VLOPs”) and 2 “Very Large Online Search Engines” (“VLOSEs”)1, as previously designated by the European Commission2 (the “Commission”). - *Source:* [Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement](https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/disputes/digital-services-act-obligations-of-very-large-online-service-providers-eu-transparency-database-and-enforcement) **Fact 0557:** The Digital Services Act (the “DSA”)3 will be fully effective from next year but these organisations have been required to comply with an enhanced set of obligations since 25 August 2023.4 In this briefing, we consider some of the key additional obligations for VLOPs and VLOSEs, the new EU Transparency Database, enforcement and interaction of the DSA with existing online safety legislation. ## Implementation of the DSA [...] The deadline for full compliance with the DSA approaches in February 2024. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement](https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/disputes/digital-services-act-obligations-of-very-large-online-service-providers-eu-transparency-database-and-enforcement) **Fact 0558:** All OIPs should therefore pay close attention to their obligations and take steps to ensure all internal systems, procedures and terms and conditions are DSA-ready. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement](https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/disputes/digital-services-act-obligations-of-very-large-online-service-providers-eu-transparency-database-and-enforcement) **Fact 0559:** If you have any questions in relation to the DSA, please contact a member of the McCann FitzGerald team. Also contributed to by Stephen Lahert, David O’Keeffe Ioiart and Morris Hung [...] When carrying out risk assessments, companies must factor in how their terms and conditions, their systems for selecting advertisements and the design of their recommender or algorithmic systems can influence systemic risks. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement](https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/disputes/digital-services-act-obligations-of-very-large-online-service-providers-eu-transparency-database-and-enforcement) **Fact 0560:** They must also consider if there is a risk for intentional manipulation of their services, including through the rapid spread of disinformation, a topic which has come into focus since the Russia – Ukraine conflict. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement](https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/disputes/digital-services-act-obligations-of-very-large-online-service-providers-eu-transparency-database-and-enforcement) **Fact 0561:** VLOPs and VLOSE must then use the assessments to inform and adopt “risk mitigating measures”, including implementing measures to discourage and limit the dissemination of illegal content. - *Source:* [Digital Services Act: Obligations of Very Large Online Service Providers, EU Transparency Database and Enforcement](https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/disputes/digital-services-act-obligations-of-very-large-online-service-providers-eu-transparency-database-and-enforcement) **Fact 0562:** provide certain information about advertisements, the DSA aims to allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. - *Source:* [EU Should Improve Transparency in the Digital Services Act](https://itif.org/publications/2025/10/20/eu-should-improve-transparency-in-the-digital-services-act) **Fact 0563:** And finally, by requiring platforms to provide certain information about their algorithms, the DSA aims to dispel some of the uncertainty around how and why platforms promote certain content and deprioritize other content. - *Source:* [EU Should Improve Transparency in the Digital Services Act](https://itif.org/publications/2025/10/20/eu-should-improve-transparency-in-the-digital-services-act) **Fact 0564:** [...] Previous research supports ITIF’s findings that the DSA’s transparency mechanisms are insufficient. - *Source:* [EU Should Improve Transparency in the Digital Services Act](https://itif.org/publications/2025/10/20/eu-should-improve-transparency-in-the-digital-services-act) **Fact 0565:** For example, a 2025 study by researchers from Italy finds inconsistencies between the DSA Transparency Database and VLOPs’ (Very Large Online Platforms’) transparency reports.(#_edn20) A separate 2024 study by researchers from the Netherlands finds that the database allows platforms to “remain opaque on the grounds behind content moderation decisions,” particularly for content moderation decisions based on terms of service infringements.(#_edn21) The report claims that “platforms can strategize their use of the database as a means to show their compliance, even though in practice it may be insufficient.”(#_edn22) [...] # The Digital Services Act The DSA is an EU regulation that went into effect in 2022 and applies to all online platforms, including social media networks, e-commerce marketplaces, app stores, and other digital service providers. - *Source:* [EU Should Improve Transparency in the Digital Services Act](https://itif.org/publications/2025/10/20/eu-should-improve-transparency-in-the-digital-services-act) **Fact 0566:** The DSA exempts online platforms from legal liability for third-party content if they adhere to certain requirements. - *Source:* [EU Should Improve Transparency in the Digital Services Act](https://itif.org/publications/2025/10/20/eu-should-improve-transparency-in-the-digital-services-act) **Fact 0567:** It also includes transparency and safety obligations for online platforms. The stated goal of the DSA is to make the online world a safer, more predictable, and more trustworthy place by placing obligations on online platforms, including by: ▪ removing illegal content upon receiving an order to do so from a European judicial or administrative authority;. - *Source:* [EU Should Improve Transparency in the Digital Services Act](https://itif.org/publications/2025/10/20/eu-should-improve-transparency-in-the-digital-services-act) **Fact 0568:** (applewebdata://E633A8E6-710D-4647-A569-2027302F5D86#_ftnref132) Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (n 3). (applewebdata://E633A8E6-710D-4647-A569-2027302F5D86#_ftnref133) See B van der Sloot, ‘The Quality of Law: How the European Court of Human Rights gradually Became a European Constitutional Court for Privacy Cases’ (2020) 11 Journal of Intellectual Property, Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Law160, 177; and E Kosta, ‘Algorithmic State Surveillance: Challenging the Notion of Agency in Human Rights’ (2020) 16 Regulation & Governance 212. (applewebdata://E633A8E6-710D-4647-A569-2027302F5D86#_ftnref134) Kosta and Brewczyńska (n 110) 253-274. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) **Fact 0569:** [...] (applewebdata://E633A8E6-710D-4647-A569-2027302F5D86#_ftnref20) V Crosset, and B Dupont, ‘Cognitive Assemblages: The Entangled Nature of Algorithmic Content Moderation’ (2022) 9 Big Data & Society 1. (applewebdata://E633A8E6-710D-4647-A569-2027302F5D86#_ftnref21) Bellanova and de Goede (n 13). (applewebdata://E633A8E6-710D-4647-A569-2027302F5D86#_ftnref22) See G De Gregorio, Digital Constitutionalism in Europe: Reframing Rights and Powers in the Algorithmic Society(Cambridge University Press 2022); G De Gregorio, ‘The Rise of Digital Constitutionalism in the European Union’ (2021) 19 International Journal of Constitutional Law 41; N Suzor, ‘Digital Constitutionalism: Using the Rule of Law to Evaluate the Legitimacy of Governance by Platforms’ (2018) 4 Social Media + Society 1. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) **Fact 0570:** [...] Platforms use algorithmic systems that shape how information is disseminated to their users. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) **Fact 0571:** These systems mainly serve two main different goals. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) **Fact 0572:** First, platforms are designed to prioritise content that is likely to be of interest to users and will engage them on the platform. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) **Fact 0573:** This is achieved through personalisation algorithms that select and adjust content based on past engagement and content selections, the network of the users, and the behaviour of other, similar users. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) **Fact 0574:** Second, algorithmic systems are used in combination with human supervision to identify content that is in conflict with their user guidelines, such as hate speech, cyberbullying, or disinformation. - *Source:* [Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) | European Papers](https://www.europeanpapers.eu/e-journal/platforms-online-surveillance-%20european-union-digital-services-act-dsa) ## Steam Support does not restore items that have left accounts scarcity policy **Fact 0575:** Steam Support does not restore items once they leave accounts, regardless of reason. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0576:** This policy applies to trades, market transactions, deletions, or gifting. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0577:** This policy has been in place since March 9th. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0578:** Steam Support does not restore items that have left accounts for any reason, including trades, market transactions, deletions, or gifting. - *Source:* [Item Restoration? (account was phished) :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3105768782184873530) **Fact 0579:** Steam Support does not restore items that have left accounts for any reason, including trades, market transactions, deletions, or gifting. - *Source:* [Steam Item Restoration Policy](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/3B6E-B322-2400-8D24) **Fact 0580:** Steam Support does not restore items that have left accounts for any reason, including trades, market transactions, deletions, or gifting. - *Source:* [Is Steam Item Restoration Policy outdated now with 7 day ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/ha2vdm/is_steam_item_restoration_policy_outdated_now) **Fact 0581:** Trade hold duration will be increased to 15 days (for long-time Steam friends the duration will remain 1 day) Listing on the Steam Community Market will have a hold of 15 days before an item can be sold Steam Support will no longer restore items that have left accounts following a successful trade or market transaction (a process that previously created duplicates of original items) [...] While we'll continue to assist users with the recovery of their account if they encounter an issue, beginning March 9th we will no longer be manually restoring items that have left the account due to a successful trade or market transaction. - *Source:* [News - Security and Trading: Update](https://store.steampowered.com/news/20631) **Fact 0582:** [...] Our work isn't finished, but we've seen enough progress in account security to finally address an old problem: item duplication. - *Source:* [News - Security and Trading: Update](https://store.steampowered.com/news/20631) **Fact 0583:** Currently, if an account is compromised and items have been lost through a successful trade or market transaction, we would manually restore the items, creating duplicates of the original items in the process. - *Source:* [News - Security and Trading: Update](https://store.steampowered.com/news/20631) **Fact 0584:** That process of manual restoration and duplication has the negative side effect of changing an item's scarcity - as more copies of the item are created, the value of every other similar item is reduced. - *Source:* [News - Security and Trading: Update](https://store.steampowered.com/news/20631) **Fact 0585:** In addition, it created a method by which users could be rewarded for faking account hijacks. - *Source:* [News - Security and Trading: Update](https://store.steampowered.com/news/20631) **Fact 0586:** Steam Support does not restore items that have left accounts for any reason, including trades, market transactions, deletions, or gifting. - *Source:* [Is there any way to get back my stolen items? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2952595757893825003) **Fact 0587:** Items often exchange hands multiple times before a restoration request and this means they cannot be. - *Source:* [Revisit 'Steam Item Restoration Policy' :: Suggestions / Ideas](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/10/3817410454884564652) **Fact 0588:** > Originally posted by Steam: > > Steam Support will no longer restore lost items. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0589:** Items often exchange hands multiple times before a restoration request and this means they cannot be restored without duplicating them or removing them from another innocent user’s inventory. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0590:** Duplicating items has a negative impact on everyone who trades or uses the Market by lowering the value of items. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0591:** [...] My account was recently compromised, and I had a ~£90 CS:GO item stolen from the account whilst it was hijacked. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0592:** I of course contacted Steam Support and got a reply back very soon (props to them for that). - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0593:** They were more than happy to help me get back into my account, and did so very smoothly. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0594:** Now I'm trying to get my item back, and Support are absolutely point-blank refusing to either trade back the item from the hijacker's account and back into mine, or refund me the market price of the item like they used to do. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0595:** I was linked to a page which had all the information on Steam's new Item Restoration Policy and reading through it I came across this: > Originally posted by Steam: > [...] Now, as it says on the Item Restoration page, "Items often exchange hands multiple times before a restoration request and this means they cannot be restored without duplicating them or removing them from another innocent user’s inventory.". - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0596:** The item is still in the account that the item was directly traded to, so removing it from his account will in no way, shape or form destabilise the economy or value of the item, as it's just a matter of moving it from his inventory into mine. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0597:** I can see how Steam are worried about duplication of items and keeping their economy stable for the rest of its users, because of course however for the minority of us, it's unfair that we are paying the price for being hijacked. - *Source:* [New Steam Item Restoration Policy is unfair. :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1291816880499564420) **Fact 0598:** Steam has amended its scams policy and now warns that items lost will no longer be restored, where once they had been. - *Source:* [Steam no longer restoring items lost to trading scams](https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/29/8860977/steam-no-longer-restoring-items-lost-to-trading-scams) **Fact 0599:** No, once Steam support has deleted the account, neither the account nor any information related to it can be restored. - *Source:* [Account Deletion - Common Questions](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/21A6-7C93-6CFE-100B) **Fact 0600:** Steam Support will not return any items or gifts that you feel have been traded unfairly. - *Source:* [Steam Trading](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/46A2-2B3C-95CC-8878) ## VZBV German consumer group lawsuit against Valve Steam game resale rights **Fact 0601:** The VZBV German consumer group sued Valve over Steam's resale restrictions, but courts previously ruled in favor of Valve. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0602:** The VZBV argues for consumer rights based on EU rulings. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0603:** Valve maintains it has not seen the complaint. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0604:** # German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0605:** or VZBV) has sued Valve for not allowing Steam users to resell their games. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0606:** Speaking about the policies of Valve's digital distribution service, VZBV project manager Carola Elbrecht said that if customers truly own the titles they purchase on Steam, they should have the option to resell them when they want to, just as they would when dealing with a physical card or board game – a shaky comparison, some would argue. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0607:** [...] The filing marks the VZBV's latest attempt to loosen Valve's restrictions. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0608:** The group targeted Steam's lack of support for account transfers in a 2010 suit that case made it to the German Federal Court of Justice, which sided with Valve. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0609:** Given that outcome, it remains to be seen how successful the VZBV's latest push will be, but the group may catch a lucky break considering the CJEU's recent ruling in favor of the ability to resell digitally distributed software. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0610:** If nothing else, it will raise awareness Elbrecht said. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0611:** [...] Speaking with PCWorld about the latest suit, Valve vice president of marketing Doug Lombardi said he was aware of the VZBV's press release about the filing, but that Valve hasn't laid eyes on the actual complaint yet. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0612:** "That said, we understand the complaint is somehow regarding the transferability of Steam accounts, despite the fact that this issue has already been ruled upon favorably to Valve in a prior case between Valve and the VZBV by the German supreme court," he said, referring to the mentioned 2010 case. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over the resale of Steam games | TechSpot](https://www.techspot.com/news/51507-german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-the-resale-of-steam-games.html) **Fact 0613:** The Federation of German Consumer Association, a German consumer advocacy group that took issue with Steam's end-user license agreement last year, has now filed an official complaint against Valve. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0614:** The VZBV, as the organization is known, takes issue with the fact that Steam does not allow users to resell digital content, which goes against a recent European court ruling -- and as such has now taken an official dispute to a German court. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0615:** Speaking to Cinema Blend, VZBV representative Eva Hoffschulte stated, "We have submitted complaint against the company to the district court Berlin." The company says that Valve has been working to modify its terms to grant more leniency, but that what has been done up to this point simply isn't enough. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0616:** Consumers should be able to resell any product they [...] isn't doing anything to preemptively block used game sales on Steam. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0617:** [Update: Valve's Doug Lombardi has stated to Gamasutra, "We are aware of the press release about the lawsuit filed by the VZBV, but we have not yet seen the actual complaint." "That said, we understand the complaint is somehow regarding the transferability of Steam accounts, despite the fact that this issue has already been ruled upon favorably to Valve in a prior case between Valve and the VZBV by the German supreme court. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0618:** For now, we are continuing to extend the Steam services to gamers in Germany and around the world."] [...] enough. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0619:** Consumers should be able to resell any product they buy from the Steam Store, states the complaint, just like with any other game product. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0620:** The current system is not in the interest of consumers, says the VZBV, and will harm sustained growth of digital distribution in the long-term, as users realize more fully the implications of having their content tied down to a single digital platform. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0621:** At the moment, no online game distributors allow users to resell digital content, but the latest ruling says that companies cannot put any systems in place that would block their European users from doing so. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0622:** Companies like GameStop have already expressed interest in used digital game sales, and the Federation wants to verify that Valve isn't doing anything to preemptively block used game sales. - *Source:* [Consumer group targets Valve's digital resale policies](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/consumer-group-targets-valve-s-digital-resale-policies) **Fact 0623:** "We understand the complaint is somehow regarding the transferability of Steam accounts, despite the fact that this issue has already been ruled upon favorably to Valve in a prior case between Valve and the VZBV by the German supreme court," he said in a statement. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games](https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/1/3940546/german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-refusal-to-allow-resale) **Fact 0624:** "For now, we are continuing to extend the Steam services to gamers in Germany and around the world." In 2010 the VZVB sued Valve for similar issues, taking the case to the German Federal Court of Justice. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games](https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/1/3940546/german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-refusal-to-allow-resale) **Fact 0625:** The court ruled that prohibiting user account transfers and resale did not violate German law. In July 2012 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the trade and resale of "used" software licenses was legal and software developers could not oppose these actions. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games](https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/1/3940546/german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-refusal-to-allow-resale) **Fact 0626:** [...] Polygon.com logo Polygon.com logo 4 # German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games N/A Valve is being sued by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZVB) over its refusal to allow users to resell games purchased on Steam. According to VZVB's project manager Carola Elbrecht, the organization says Steam's users should be allowed to sell their used games at their own discretion, much like how traditional board game owners would resell their games. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games](https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/1/3940546/german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-refusal-to-allow-resale) **Fact 0627:** The VZVB has taken issue that purchases are tied to users' Steam accounts, barring licenses from being transferable to a third-party, and that both digital and physical games using Steamworks are also locked to a single account after they are installed. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games](https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/1/3940546/german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-refusal-to-allow-resale) **Fact 0628:** [...] Elbrecht argues that Steam's terms mean buyers only partially own a game and make exchanging online games impossible, as Valve forbids users to sell or transfer Steam accounts and copies of Steam games burned to CD still require a user's account information and product keys. "If I pay the full price for a game, then why am I not allowed to do with it what I want," Elbrecht said. When reached for comment, Valve's vice president of marketing Doug Lombardi said the company is aware of the press release from the VZBV announcing the lawsuit, but has yet to see the actual complaint. - *Source:* [German consumer group sues Valve over refusal to allow resale of Steam games](https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/1/3940546/german-consumer-group-sues-valve-over-refusal-to-allow-resale) **Fact 0629:** Home Features # German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games The Law Won John Walker avatar Feature by John Walker Co-founder Published on 267 comments In a perhaps not too surprising result, the case in Germany brought against Valve that attempted to demonstrate the right to resell Steam games was lost last week. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0630:** Brought by German consumer group Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv), this was a second attempt to see a court rule that consumers have the right to resell their Steam games. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0631:** [...] Right now, if you buy a game from Steam, it's locked into your Steam account. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0632:** You can't give it to someone else when you're finished with it, nor sell it on as a second-hand game. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0633:** What vzbv were attempting to argue their first time out was that Valve were in violation of the laws on exhaustion by preventing Steam users from being able to sell on or transfer their online account. It's of note that Valve could have, at this point, said: "Oh yeah, fair enough, we could do better at this." With their desires to be offering the best for consumers and consumers' interests, this would have been another opportunity for Valve to embrace that philosophy, and provide their customers with the barest of rights of ownership. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0634:** [...] Come that 2012 ruling from the EU courts that the doctrine of exhaustion does apply to digital content, you can see why vzbv saw cause to return to the matter. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0635:** They'd lost because a judge ruled it didn't apply to digital products, but now there was a bigger, louder ruling that digital content consumers should be protected in the same way. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0636:** Despite the intangibility of an online purchase, it seemed that a court was finally recognising that the last of a plastic carrier shouldn't change a consumer's rights. However, it's never that simple. - *Source:* [German Court Rules Against Rights To Resell Steam Games | Rock Paper Shotgun](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/german-court-rules-against-rights-to-resell-steam-games) **Fact 0637:** When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0638:** This doesn't affect our editorial independence. by Loek Essers # Valve sued in Germany over game ownership News Jan 31, 2013 The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV) sued computer game distributor Valve because it prohibits Steam gamers from reselling their games. Steam users own the games they purchase and should be able to resell them when they want to, just like owners of traditional card or board games can, said Carola Elbrecht, project manager for consumer rights in the digital world at the VZBV, on Thursday. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0639:** But while those traditional game owners can resell their games whenever they like, Steam users often cannot, she said. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0640:** [...] ## Previous lawsuit The VZBV sued the game distributor for similar reasons once before, Elbrecht said. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0641:** That case went all the way to the German Federal Court of Justice, which ruled in 2010 that Valve did not violate German law by prohibiting the transfer of user accounts. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), however, ruled in July that the trading of “used” software licenses is legal and that the author of such software cannot oppose any resale. While the CJEU’s case is not exactly the same as the current litigation against Valve, the VZBV reckons that the ruling gives sufficient basis for a new lawsuit, Elbrecht said. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0642:** She expected the litigation to go on for years, and it will probably end up at the federal court again, she said. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0643:** [...] Valve was warned in September by the VZBV to change this practice, but the company did not comply with the federation’s demands. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0644:** Therefore, the federation sued the company in the District Court of Berlin on Wednesday. “We are aware of the press release about the lawsuit filed by the VZBV, but we have not yet seen the actual complaint,” said Doug Lombardi, Valve’s vice president of marketing, in an email. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0645:** “That said, we understand the complaint is somehow regarding the transferability of Steam accounts, despite the fact that this issue has already been ruled upon favorably to Valve in a prior case between Valve and the VZBV by the German supreme court,” he said. ## Previous lawsuit. - *Source:* [Valve sued in Germany over game ownership | PCWorld](https://www.pcworld.com/article/456673/valve-sued-in-germany-over-game-ownership.html) **Fact 0646:** Home News # German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service German consumer group complains about Valve's lack of digital resale Mike Williams avatar News by Mike Williams Reviews Editor, USgamer Published on 26 comments The Federation of German Consumer Association (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband, VZBV) has submitted a legal complaint over Valve's lack of haste in making changes to its End-User License Agreement (EULA). - *Source:* [German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/german-group-files-legal-complaint-against-valves-steam-service) **Fact 0647:** [...] In September of last year, the VZBV threatened to pursue Valve in court if it did not change its EULA to allow Steam users to resell their digital content. - *Source:* [German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/german-group-files-legal-complaint-against-valves-steam-service) **Fact 0648:** The organization also took issue with Valve not allowing an opt-out for users that did not want to sign the new EULA. - *Source:* [German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/german-group-files-legal-complaint-against-valves-steam-service) **Fact 0649:** Ultimately, the VZBV says that digital games should be handled like physical games and the current status quo isn't beneficial to consumers in the long run. "We have submitted complaint against the company to the district court Berlin," VZBV spokesperson Eva Hoffschulte told Cinema Blend. - *Source:* [German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/german-group-files-legal-complaint-against-valves-steam-service) **Fact 0650:** [...] The VZBV has stated that it will take its case all the way up to the Supreme Court if Valve doesn't come into compliance with EU law. - *Source:* [German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/german-group-files-legal-complaint-against-valves-steam-service) **Fact 0651:** Valve will be modifying its EULA on January 31, but the VZBV believes that it may be a case of 'too little, too late'. Mentioned in this article Legal View comments (26) Up next Latest News. - *Source:* [German group files legal complaint against Valve's Steam service | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/german-group-files-legal-complaint-against-valves-steam-service) **Fact 0652:** Federation of German Consumer Organizations claims Steam users own the games they purchase and should be able to re-sell them. - *Source:* [German group sues Valve](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/german-group-sues-valve/1100-6403307) **Fact 0653:** The VZBV tried to get Valve to allow Steam customers to at least be able to sell their game licenses to other users after the Court of Justice. - *Source:* [German consumer group lobbies for Steam to allow used ...](https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/german-consumer-group-lobbies-for-steam-to-allow-used-game-sales) **Fact 0654:** Basicly, last year on the 7.03.2012 a law passed that every used software license can be resold, Valve was told to change Steam to fit this. - *Source:* [German Consumer Protection sues VALVE for Steam](https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/17kwyj/german_consumer_protection_sues_valve_for_steam) **Fact 0655:** Last year, the EU court ruled that publishers and vendors cannot legally prohibit the re-selling of downloaded games and licenses. - *Source:* [Germany's VZBV vs Valve: Re-selling games in the EU.](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/864973981274500094?l=schinese&ctp=3) ## My Dog vs. Elite GDPR Lawyers Valve data breach PDF redaction failure Aspose.PDF **Fact 0656:** A 5-year PDF redaction failure exposed Valve data breach details, highlighting GDPR compliance issues. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0657:** Elite lawyers failed to protect user data. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0658:** August 19, 2026 - Forensic auditing utility to expose and unmask failed visual-only PDF redactions by Taylor Wessing LLP. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite Lawyers (Part 2): The 5-Year PDF Vulnerability Exposing Global Corporations](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-lawyers-part-2-the-5-year-pdf-vulnerability-exposing-global-corporations) **Fact 0659:** Designed to extract hidden text layers offline and verify GDPR compliance following the Valve Corporation data leak. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite Lawyers (Part 2): The 5-Year PDF Vulnerability Exposing Global Corporations](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-lawyers-part-2-the-5-year-pdf-vulnerability-exposing-global-corporations) **Fact 0660:** A catastrophic PDF redaction failure during a routine GDPR request exposed Steam users to severe risks. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite Lawyers (Part 2): The 5-Year PDF Vulnerability ...](https://phishdestroy.medium.com/my-dog-vs-elite-lawyers-part-2-the-5-year-pdf-vulnerability-exposing-global-corporations-81cdad269253) **Fact 0661:** 1 week ago - A catastrophic PDF redaction failure during a routine GDPR request exposed Steam users to severe risks. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite Lawyers, Part 4: Dr. Patrick, Your Own Document Just Destroyed Your Client.](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-lawyers-part-4-dr-patrick-your-own-document-just-destroyed-your-client) **Fact 0662:** You can find (just about) anything on Medium - apparently even a page that doesn't exist. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite Lawyers, Part 4: Dr. Patrick, Your Own Document Just Destroyed Your Client.](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-lawyers-part-4-dr-patrick-your-own-document-just-destroyed-your-client) **Fact 0663:** August 19, 2026 - Why this is no longer a joke, but a systemic failure. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite GDPR Lawyers: The Valve Data Breach](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-gdpr-lawyers-the-valve-data-breach) **Fact 0664:** 100% better at handling PDFs than elite corporate lawyers. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite GDPR Lawyers: The Valve Data Breach](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-gdpr-lawyers-the-valve-data-breach) **Fact 0665:** We’re not playing games here, and this isn’t Valve trying to shield itself from the truth, which has already been partially revealed thanks to your leak. - *Source:* [My Dog vs. Elite Lawyers, Part 3: The GDPR “Right to be Forgotten” Trap and Why Academic Papers Are Forever](https://paragraph.com/@0xdeadaffead1ad2f7f4eb48e9727602d36f201337/my-dog-vs-elite-lawyers-part-3-the-gdpr-right-to-be-forgotten-trap-and-why-academic-papers-are-forever) **Fact 0666:** Forensic auditing utility to expose and unmask failed visual-only PDF redactions created by Taylor Wessing LLP for Valve Corporation. - *Source:* [PDF Redaction Auditor — Taylor Wessing / Valve GDPR Leak ...](https://phishdestroy.github.io/taylor-wessing-data-breach-toolkit) **Fact 0667:** The consequences of a data breach under GDPR are severe, with fines reaching up to €20 million or 4% of a company's global annual turnover,. - *Source:* [GDPR - PDF Redaction Compliance - Ainon](https://ainon.ai/blog/gdpr-pdf-redaction-compliance) **Fact 0668:** When these redaction methods go wrong, the fallout can be every bit as damaging as a failed PDF blackout. > This article explores what redaction failure looks like in the digital era, the legal and operational consequences of redaction failure in the U.S. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0669:** and UK, and how to avoid joining the growing list of high-profile data breach headlines. What Is Redaction Failure? ## #What Is Redaction Failure? Redaction is the deliberate, irreversible removal or obfuscation of sensitive information from a file before it’s shared. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0670:** It’s not just about blocking text — it can involve blurring, pixelating or silencing content in multimedia formats. Redaction failure occurs when that process is incomplete or reversible. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0671:** For example: [...] ### #Operational Disruption When redaction fails, organizations must divert staff, freeze releases, and sometimes pull entire archives offline to audit and reprocess. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0672:** In the UK, the 72-hour breach notification window under UK GDPR means you’ll be firefighting almost immediately. For video and audio archives, reprocessing can be far more time-intensive than re-redacting a PDF, as each second of footage may need manual review. Famous Redaction Disasters and Consequences. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0673:** ## #Why Manual Redaction Is Too Risky in Multimedia [...] ### #United Kingdom The UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 make no exception for media type. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0674:** Personal data in video or audio is protected as strictly as text. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0675:** The ICO has previously warned law enforcement, education providers and healthcare organizations to properly redact identifiable voices and images in publicly released material. ## #Key Difference in UK / USA: Fines In the UK, data breach fines can reach £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover for any personal data mishandling, while in the U.S., penalties often depend on the sector or state law involved. ### #Civil Liability and Compensation Claims In the UK, individuals affected by a redaction failure can claim damages for:. - *Source:* [Redaction Failure Risks | Legal & Compliance Consequences](https://facit.ai/insights/the-legal-and-operational-consequences-of-redaction-failure) **Fact 0676:** Department of Justice, to Australian FOI officers, and to law firms and hospitals that thought they were protecting data when they were only hiding it cosmetically. PDF redaction exists to prevent exactly this kind of failure. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0677:** In 2026, with GDPR fines surpassing €7.1 billion and 19 U.S. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0678:** states now enforcing comprehensive privacy laws, getting redaction wrong is not an inconvenience. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0679:** It is a liability. Video Thumbnail ## What does PDF redaction actually mean? [...] ## Subscribe to our newsletter Loading ## Why PDF redaction matters so much right now Ten years ago, redaction was something legal teams worried about. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0680:** Today, it touches nearly every industry that handles personal data, and the regulatory pressure is escalating fast. European data protection authorities now receive over 400 breach notifications per day. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0681:** In 2025 alone, regulators across Europe issued more than €1.2 billion in GDPR fines. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0682:** The largest single penalty that year was €530 million against TikTok’s parent company for unauthorized international data transfers. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0683:** [...] A single improperly redacted document can trigger all of these consequences at once. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0684:** A visible Social Security number in a court filing, an unredacted diagnosis in a medical record, or a discoverable email address in a FOIA response can lead to lawsuits, investigations, and reputational damage that takes years to repair. Research from the Identity Theft Resource Center found that 95% of data breaches in 2024 were tied to human error. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0685:** Poorly redacted files and overlooked metadata are exactly the kind of mistakes that fall into that category. - *Source:* [What is PDF Redaction? How to Redact PDF Documents The Right Way](https://caseguard.com/articles/what-is-pdf-redaction) **Fact 0686:** May 6, 2026 - Sometime last year, our client’s sensitive data about his personal background, history & ongoing health issues was disclosed without redaction to numerous recipients in the local area where he lived. - *Source:* [GDPR Data Breach claim | Breach of data personal information](https://www.irvingslaw.com/gdpr-data-breach) ## Steam Subscriber Agreement Class Action Waiver arbitration clause history **Fact 0687:** Valve removed the arbitration clause and class action waiver from its Steam Subscriber Agreement in 2024. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0688:** This change allows users to pursue class-action lawsuits. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0689:** The decision followed successful mass arbitration claims against Valve. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0690:** Steam Subscriber Agreement Popup Valve is far from alone in implementing anti-class action clauses to subscriber agreements. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0691:** Microsoft and Sony both added class action waivers(Opens in a new window) to their respective online networks back in 2011, and the full list of tech companies that have done the same or similar is rather long. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0692:** Concepcion(Opens in a new window) [PDF], the Supreme Court on April 27, 2011 ruled in a 5-4 decision that mandatory arbitration clauses are enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act of 1925. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0693:** Companies like Microsoft, Sony, and now Valve are hanging their hats on that ruling, which essentially says they can avoid class action lawsuits simply by including arbitration agreements. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0694:** [...] One final example my brother shared with me is a 2009 case in which the U.S. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0695:** District Court for the Northern District of Texas held that Blockbuster's arbitration clause contained in its ToS couldn't be enforced simply because Blockbuster reserved the right to change the terms at any time. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0696:** In doing so, the court opined that Blockbuster wasn't offering anything in exchange for the plaintiff's agreement to arbitrate. Of course, consumers' ability to present arguments like these are severely limited after Concepcion, so you'd be wise to familiarize yourself with Valve's updated Steam Subscriber Agreement(Opens in a new window), as well as pay attention to any other service contracts before clicking the "I agree" button. ## Tagged In ## More from Gaming [...] "The Concepcion case certainly does make it much harder to challenge arbitration clauses like these, but I would not call it the death knell of class actions either," Matthew Lilly, a partner in Finlayson Williams Toffer Rossevelt, & Lilly LLP of Irvine, California, explained to me. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0697:** "There have been about 100 reported decisions in various state and federal courts that discuss Concepcion since that case came down. - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0698:** The majority of those cases cited favorably to that decision, but others have distinguished the facts or found other grounds to invalidate arbitration clauses notwithstanding Concepcion.". - *Source:* [Valve's updated Steam agreement bars class action lawsuit, but is it legal? | Extremetech](https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/133806-valves-updated-steam-agreement-bars-class-action-lawsuit-but-is-it-legal) **Fact 0699:** The elimination of the arbitration clause and class-action waiver from the Steam Subscriber Agreement marks a pivotal change in how Valve manages legal disputes. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0700:** By requiring claims to proceed in court, the company may be seeking to mitigate the financial risks associated with mass arbitration. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0701:** However, this approach opens the door to potential class-action lawsuits, which could pose their own set of challenges. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0702:** [...] Don't have an account? Request Enterprise Demo ### Search All Jobs News Apps Organizations People ###### Legal.io Oct 01, 2024 # Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement Valve updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement, eliminating the mandatory arbitration clause and class-action waiver, now directing gamers to the courts instead. In a significant shift in its legal strategy, Valve Corporation has eliminated the mandatory arbitration clause from its Steam Subscriber Agreement, directing users to resolve disputes through the court system instead. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0703:** The move was communicated to gamers via an email update and a pop-up message on the Steam platform, informing them of changes to how claims and disputes are handled. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0704:** [...] Mandatory arbitration clauses have long been criticized for limiting consumers' ability to seek redress through individual or class-action lawsuits. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0705:** While these clauses often deter legal action due to the complexities and costs associated with arbitration, Valve's experience diverged from this norm. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0706:** Law firms such as Zaiger LLC and Mason LLP facilitated mass arbitration claims against the company, alleging inflated game prices and enabling many Steam users to secure compensation with minimal effort. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0707:** Miscellaneous This Steam Subscriber Agreement ("Agreement") is a legal document that explains your rights and obligations as a subscriber of Steam from Valve Corporation, a corporation under the laws of the State of Washington, with its registered office at 10400 NE 4th St., Bellevue, WA 98004, United States, registered with the Washington Secretary of State under number 60 22 90 773, VAT ID No. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0708:** SECTION 11 CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0709:** IF YOU ARE A CONSUMER AND LIVE IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC (CANADA), THE EUROPEAN UNION, OR THE UNITED KINGDOM, SECTION 11 DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0710:** [...] You and Valve agree that this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and executed in the State of Washington, U.S.A., and Washington law, excluding conflict of laws principles and the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, governs all claims arising out of or relating to: (i) any aspect of the relationship between us; (ii) this Agreement; or (iii) your use of Steam, your Account or the Content and Services; except that the U.S. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0711:** Federal Arbitration Act governs arbitration as far as your country’s laws permit. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0712:** Subject to Section 11 (Dispute Resolution/Binding Arbitration/Class Action Waiver) below, you and Valve agree that any claim asserted in any legal proceeding shall be commenced and maintained exclusively in any state or federal court located in King County, [...] Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, in the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held by an arbitrator, court, or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the remaining portions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0713:** governs if some parts of Section 11 (Dispute Resolution/Binding Arbitration/Class Action Waiver) are held to be illegal or unenforceable. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0714:** This Agreement, including any Subscription Terms, Rules of Use, the Valve Privacy Policy, and the Valve Hardware Limited Warranty Policy, constitutes and contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior. - *Source:* [STEAM® SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/2292890_eula_0) **Fact 0715:** In 2024, gaming company Valve removed the mandatory arbitration clause from the subscriber agreement for its online gaming platform Steam. - *Source:* [The End of Steam's Arbitration Agreement - Video Game Law](https://videogamelaw.allard.ubc.ca/2025/04/01/the-end-of-steams-arbitration-agreement-when-class-action-is-preferred) **Fact 0716:** Steam has updated its subscriber agreement to remove any mention of an arbitration agreement and class action waiver. - *Source:* ["Steam has updated its subscriber agreement to remove ...](https://x.com/SteamDB/status/1839573438257676391) **Fact 0717:** The Steam subscriber agreement has dropped its forced arbitration clause, allowing gamers to take legal action against the platform. - *Source:* [The Steam subscriber agreement has dropped its forced ...](https://www.facebook.com/verge/posts/the-steam-subscriber-agreement-has-dropped-its-forced-arbitration-clause-allowin/921122199877254) **Fact 0718:** If the agreement in this Section not to bring or participate in a class or representative action, private attorney general action or collective arbitration should be found illegal or unenforceable, you and Valve agree that it shall not be severable, that this entire Section shall be unenforceable and any claim or dispute would be resolved in court and not in collective arbitration. Notwithstanding this Section, you have the right to litigate any dispute in small claims court, if all the requirements of the small claims court, including any limitations on jurisdiction and the amount at issue in the dispute, are satisfied. - *Source:* [Petition · Repeal Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement (Class Action Waiver) - United States · Change.org](https://www.change.org/p/valve-repeal-section-12-in-the-steam-subscriber-agreement-class-action-waiver) **Fact 0719:** [...] If the agreement in this Section not to bring or participate in a class or representative action, private attorney general action or collective arbitration should be found illegal or unenforceable, you and Valve agree that it shall not be severable, that this entire Section shall be unenforceable and any claim or dispute would be resolved in court and not in collective arbitration. Notwithstanding this Section, you have the right to litigate any dispute in small claims court, if all the requirements of the small claims court, including any limitations on jurisdiction and the amount at issue in the dispute, are satisfied. - *Source:* [Petition · Repeal Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement (Class Action Waiver) - United States · Change.org](https://www.change.org/p/valve-repeal-section-12-in-the-steam-subscriber-agreement-class-action-waiver) **Fact 0720:** [...] # Repeal Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement (Class Action Waiver) # Repeal Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement (Class Action Waiver) ## The Issue Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement states, in its entirety (completely unedited): "12. - *Source:* [Petition · Repeal Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement (Class Action Waiver) - United States · Change.org](https://www.change.org/p/valve-repeal-section-12-in-the-steam-subscriber-agreement-class-action-waiver) **Fact 0721:** DISPUTE RESOLUTION/BINDING ARBITRATION/CLASS ACTION WAIVER. Most user concerns can be resolved by use of our Steam support site at If we are unable to resolve your concerns and a dispute remains between you and Valve, this Section explains how we agree to resolve it. - *Source:* [Petition · Repeal Section 12 in the Steam Subscriber Agreement (Class Action Waiver) - United States · Change.org](https://www.change.org/p/valve-repeal-section-12-in-the-steam-subscriber-agreement-class-action-waiver) **Fact 0722:** Yes, according to the court in Wolfire Games, LLC et al v. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0723:** In that case, a class action of consumers, parents of consumers, and game publisher Wolfire Games, sued Valve, alleging that Valve engaged in anticompetitive practices in its Steam store. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0724:** Valve asked the court to send the matter to arbitration—pointing to the arbitration provision in the Steam Subscriber Agreement, which all consumers must agree to in order to purchase games from the Steam store. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0725:** By its terms, the arbitration provision clearly and conspicuously applied only to claims arising out of the relationship between a consumer and Steam. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0726:** Therefore, the issue for the court was whether the arbitration provision could apply to the parents of consumers, and Wolfire Games, even though they [...] Non-signatory game company is not bound by the arbitration clause under Washington law.The court held that Wolfire Games was not bound by the arbitration clause: Wolfire Games was merely a game publisher and had no relationship to the consumer or Steam with respect to the Steam Subscriber Agreement. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0727:** Furthermore, Wolfire Games’ antitrust claims did not rely on the agreement but rather, were dependent on rules and guidelines for developers seeking to distribute their games via the Steam store. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0728:** [...] Parents of consumers are bound by the arbitration clause under Washington law.The court applied the agency exception, holding that the parents in this case appointed their children as their agents by permitting their children to purchase games from the Steam store using their credit card information. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0729:** Therefore, the parents could bring a claim in their own capacities despite not being signatories. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0730:** 2017), in which the court applied the equitable estoppel exception to parents of consumers. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0731:** Under a so-called “equitable estoppel” theory, the arbitration provision will be enforced against the non-signatory in two situations: (i) if the non-signatory must rely on the agreement when asserting their claims, or the claims are inextricably. - *Source:* [Video Game Law: Can Parents Who Have Not Signed a Subscriber Agreement be Parties to the Arbitration Provision?, Saphya Council](https://ipandmedialaw.fkks.com/post/102hbaf/video-game-law-can-parents-who-have-not-signed-a-subscriber-agreement-be-parties) **Fact 0732:** User disputes against Valve and Steam could go directly to court if a resolution isn't found through customer support. Picture of Justin Carter September 30, 2024 Screenshot of the Steam platform. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0733:** Valve has updated its Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA) to change how disputes between Valve and Steam users are resolved. Per its blog, the new SSA eliminates the requirement for disputes to go through individual arbitration. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0734:** Instead, if a problem cannot be fixe through Steam Support, it will go forward in court. The updated agreement will take effect once users consent to it but will become the default by November 1, 2024. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0735:** [...] "You and Valve agree that this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and executed in the State of Washington, U.S.A.," reads Section 10. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0736:** "If the laws where you live mandate alternative dispute resolution options, you may seek a remedy under those options." "In the event of a dispute relating to the interpretation, the performance or the validity of the Subscriber Agreement, an amicable solution may be sought before any legal action." This change mainly affects US Steam users. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0737:** Valve said there would be "limited impact" for those in the EU and UK, Quebec, New Zealand, and Australia, since those regions are already exempt from its arbitration rules. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0738:** [...] Additionally, Valve will take out the class action waiver and the cost of fee-shifting provisions found in earlier versions of the SSA. ## Steam platform changes Changes to its SSA and arbitration rules mark Valve's newest update to the platform. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0739:** Over the summer, it made a sweep of front and backend updates, including refinements to store page descriptions and related games on those pages. One of the more significant changes came in July with social media linking. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0740:** In light of recent API updates for several social media platforms like X (née Twitter), Steam's account linking process was simplified for developers. The updated SSA can be read here. Read more about: ## About the Author Justin Carter Justin Carter Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com. - *Source:* [Valve eliminates Steam's arbitration clause in new update](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/valve-eliminates-steam-s-arbitration-clause-in-new-agreement-update) **Fact 0741:** #pcgamer #pcgaming #steam #valve ### Transcript [0:00] are you outside the UK or EU then you might have noticed an update to steam's subscriber agreement and this one's [0:07] pretty important it NX is the forced arbitration Clause that means steam users are no longer compelled by contract to settle disputes by [0:14] arbitration now you can just take steam right to court why is this happened it's not certain but likely because crafty lawyers found a way to play the [0:23] arbitration system they bundled up thousands of arbitration cases and chased them all at once like the leg equivalent of adidos so it's back to the [0:32] court for now although I reckon Gabe new's preferred dispute resolution method would be single knife based [0:39] combat [...] # You might have noticed an important update to Steam's subscriber agreement 🚨 ## Channel: PC Gamer (verified) 332K subscribers 35 likes ### Description 2,318 views Posted: 2024-10-02 www.pcgamer.com Twitter: twitter.com/PCGamer TikTok: / pcgamer_mag Instagram: @pcgamer_mag Facebook: facebook.com/pcgamermagazine Forum: forums.pcgamer.com To subscribe to the magazine in the US, UK, or elsewhere, visit magazines direct PC Gamer is the global authority on PC games. - *Source:* [You might have noticed an important update to Steam's subscriber agreement 🚨](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RX8NLxl0ZNU) **Fact 0742:** We’ve been covering PC gaming for more than 20 years, and continue that legacy today with worldwide print editions and around-the-clock news, features, esports coverage, hardware testing and game reviews on PCGamer.com, as well as major yearly events including the PC Gaming Show at E3. #pcgamer #pcgaming #steam #valve. - *Source:* [You might have noticed an important update to Steam's subscriber agreement 🚨](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RX8NLxl0ZNU) ## Steam account termination without notice Section 4.D enforcement **Fact 0743:** Valve can terminate a Steam account without notice for violations of the Subscriber Agreement, including automation or cheating. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0744:** Terminations are enforced without prior notice. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0745:** Refunds are not provided for terminated accounts. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0746:** Automating the Steam account creation process, Faking gameplay statistics (e.g., inflated wins or losses, XP, playtime), Earning rewards or progress without genuine user input, Participating in adjudication systems (like peer reviews or “overwatch”) through automated means, including influencing outcomes or reporting users by scripted action rather than informed judgment. D. - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0747:** Enforcement We may enforce this provision using both automated detection methods and human review, in accordance with our policies and applicable law. - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0748:** [...] Further, you acknowledge and agree that any host of an online multiplayer game distributed through Steam ("External Host") may report your use of Cheats, unauthorized process tampering or Automation to Valve, and Valve may communicate your history of use thereof to External Hosts within the boundaries of the Steam Privacy Policy. Valve may restrict or terminate your Account(s) or a particular Subscription for any conduct or activity that is illegal, constitutes a Cheat or Automation or breaches the Steam Online Conduct Rules. - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0749:** You acknowledge that Valve is not required to provide you notice before terminating your Subscription(s) and/or Account. 5. - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0750:** Termination by Valve Valve may restrict or cancel your Account or any particular Subscription(s) at any time in the event that (a) Valve ceases providing such Subscriptions to similarly situated Subscribers generally, or (b) you breach any terms of this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use). - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0751:** In the event that your Account or a particular Subscription is restricted or terminated or cancelled by Valve for a violation of this Agreement or improper or illegal activity, no refund, including of any Subscription fees or of any unused funds in your Steam Wallet, will be granted. D. - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0752:** Survival of Terms Sections 2.C., 2.D., 2.F., 2.G., 3.A., 3.B., 3.D., 3.H., and 5 - 11 will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. 10. - *Source:* [Steam Subscriber Agreement](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement) **Fact 0753:** If a steam account is property that can be passed down then it must be done in accordance to probate law. - *Source:* [Why steam doesn't allow this?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1o19eo5/why_steam_doesnt_allow_this) **Fact 0754:** Technical Violations and Hijacking Steam can also take action against accounts for technical violations. For example, you shouldn’t use a hacked Steam client to access the platform or try to register fake CD keys. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0755:** Both of these fall under piracy/hacking. You should also avoid violating the subscriber agreement that all accounts are bound by. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0756:** Sharing your account in a way that allows others to violate this agreement will have consequences for your account. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0757:** Not the actual violators. Some users make use of IP proxies to fake where they live just to get cheaper games or bypass blocked access/regional restrictions. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0758:** But the Steam subscriber agreement also prohibits that for all purposes. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0759:** Steam says you may get your account terminated for using proxies. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0760:** [...] You can not negotiate with the support staff on them simply because they don’t have the power to remove them. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0761:** VAC bans are automatically applied and automatically removed by the system. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0762:** It only happens if the system determines the ban was incorrect. However, don’t confuse a VAC ban with a game ban. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0763:** The next section will clarify the difference between VAC ban and game ban. ### 4. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0764:** Game Ban A game ban is issued by the developer of the game rather than Valve itself. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0765:** [...] You should also avoid engaging in the trade of Steam accounts. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0766:** Steam explicitly says it will lock accounts if it discovers they aren’t in the possession of their creators. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0767:** Steam defines the owner of an account as the person who actually created it. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0768:** The platform sees the buying and selling of Steam accounts as a scam. If you fall for this scam i.e., your account gets sold with or without your knowledge, Steam allows you to recover it using Steam Support. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0769:** But if they find out, you sold the account willingly, your recovered account will be partially restricted. You should also be very careful about accepting gifts from people you don’t know personally. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0770:** Those gifts could have been purchased with stolen credit cards, and redeeming them can get your Steam account suspended. - *Source:* [Steam Account Suspended or Banned? 2026 Recovery & Ban Prevention Guide](https://gologin.com/blog/steam-account-suspended-or-banned) **Fact 0771:** Before Steam's current Account Deletion option was introduced, accounts could be Terminated on request which among other things, suspended the account. - *Source:* [Restricted Steam Account](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4F62-35F9-F395-5C23) **Fact 0772:** If you think that you will not return to play the games on your Steam account and you'd like your account information removed, you can request that Steam. - *Source:* [Account Deletion](https://help.steampowered.com/en?text=delete+account) **Fact 0773:** You can cancel the account deletion within 30 days of your request. - *Source:* [Account Deletion - Common Questions](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/21A6-7C93-6CFE-100B) **Fact 0774:** Log into your Steam account, open the red notification at the top of the page and click the. - *Source:* [Account Deletion - Common Questions](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/21A6-7C93-6CFE-100B) **Fact 0775:** PS/Edit: I forgot to mention that I've asked the Steam Support about this, but all they said was something like "We only punish people that break the SSA or the Code of conduct", without explaining if what I did was against any of the two. - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0776:** [...] I hesitate investing any more money into my Steam account, since I can lose everything as soon as Valve finds out about the "mistake" I did (be it 6 months or 3 years from now). - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0777:** A breach of the SSA, as old as it is, remains a breach of the SSA. - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0778:** Or not? Can something like that lead to an unexpected account suspension/termination/ban? [...] I used a third party tool to reset the achievements I had in 2-3 games (all singleplayer indie stuff), it was mostly to see if the tool worked than anything else (I'm not that much into achievement hunting, even though I have an Astats profile and I try to get all the cheevos in a game I like, or at least I did, these days not anymore). - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0779:** Now, the tool actually worked, but I don't know if that was against ToS or SSA. - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0780:** It probably was, and if Valve guys wanted, they could see that I used it at the time. - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0781:** There's no official way to reset achievements (not that I know of), after all, so if you do it then you're probably not supposed to do it. - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0782:** So, could that be "bannable"? I haven't actually thought about it until recently, but right now I hesitate investing any more money into my Steam account,. - *Source:* [Can you get banned or have your account terminated for something you did months or years ago? :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1696045708656826701) **Fact 0783:** No steam corporation shall discontinue service for nonpayment of bills rendered or for failure to post a required deposit unless: (1) it shall have verified. - *Source:* [N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 16 § 434.3 | State Regulations](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-434.3) **Fact 0784:** Valve can terminate your account if you break the subscriber agreement/do bad things. - *Source:* [can your account get delted on steam for breaking TOS? if ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/lt0i0r/can_your_account_get_delted_on_steam_for_breaking) **Fact 0785:** There are also community bans that prevent you from. - *Source:* [can your account get delted on steam for breaking TOS? if ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/lt0i0r/can_your_account_get_delted_on_steam_for_breaking) **Fact 0786:** Termination Your license automatically terminates if you violate any of these Terms or the Code of Conduct. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) **Fact 0787:** We may terminate your access to and use of the Game or Services, at our sole discretion, at any time and without notice to you. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) **Fact 0788:** Upon any termination, discontinuation or cancellation of the Game, Services, and/or your Account, provisions relating to Content Ownership, DMCA/Copyright Policy, Termination, Warranty Disclaimers, Indemnity, Limitations of Liability, and Dispute Resolution shall survive such termination. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) **Fact 0789:** Warranty Disclaimers [...] We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to remove, disable or suspend your or any user’s access to any Content or the Services, at any time and without notice, including, but not limited to, if we, at our sole discretion, consider any Content or activity when using the Services to be objectionable or in violation of these Terms. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) **Fact 0790:** We have the right (and you agree we have your consent) to investigate violations of these Terms or conduct that affects the Game and/or Services, including disclosing information to, consulting, and cooperating with law enforcement authorities to prosecute users who violate the law. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) **Fact 0791:** [...] Subject to any applicable law requiring or preventing otherwise, and except where retention of information is otherwise provided for by these Terms or allowed by law, we will also delete your Personal Information without undue delay when: (a) you request your Personal Information be deleted; (b) you delete your account, or no longer have an account (unless the Personal Information has been obscured, or de-identified so that it cannot be associated with you or your browser or device); (c) your Personal Information is no longer necessary to provide an app experience or service; and/or (d) when deletion is required by applicable law or regulations. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) **Fact 0792:** Additional Notice for European Union and United Kingdom Residents. - *Source:* [Terms of Service](https://store.steampowered.com/eula/471710_eula_0) ## Wolfire Games v. Valve Corporation antitrust lawsuit 30 percent commission monopoly testimony **Fact 0793:** Wolfire Games sued Valve in 2021 over its 30% commission, claiming monopoly abuse. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0794:** The lawsuit was certified as a class action in 2024. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0795:** The case continues to seek damages for developers and publishers affected by Valve's commission. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0796:** The older case, In re Valve Antitrust Litigation, began in April 2021 when Overgrowth developer Wolfire Games sued Valve in the U.S. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0797:** District Court for the Western District of Washington, later joined by Dark Catt Studios. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0798:** That case attacks Valve’s 30% commission directly, arguing it constitutes monopoly abuse against developers rather than a price-fixing conspiracy with publishers. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0799:** A federal judge granted class certification to that case in November 2024, opening it to any developer or publisher that paid a Steam commission since 2017, a pool reported at roughly 32,000 affected parties. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0800:** [...] Which publishers are named in the lawsuit? Activision Blizzard, Annapurna Games, Capcom U.S.A., Electronic Arts, Humble Bundle, Sega of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix of America Holdings, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0801:** International Enterprises are named alongside Valve Corporation. Is this the same as the Wolfire Games lawsuit against Valve? No. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0802:** The Wolfire case is a separate federal antitrust action in Washington state, filed by developers in 2021 and certified as a class action in November 2024, alleging Valve’s 30% commission is monopoly abuse. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0803:** The new Shimota case is a state-court consumer class action alleging a broader price-fixing conspiracy between Valve and publishers. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0804:** [...] | Date | Case / action | Venue | Core allegation | Status (Sept. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0805:** Washington (federal) | Valve’s 30% cut is monopoly abuse against developers | Class certified Nov. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0806:** 2024; ongoing | | February 2025 | Stichting Massaschade & Consument v. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0807:** Sony | Netherlands | PlayStation Store monopoly inflates prices; ~$457M sought | Backed by Stop Killing Games, Aug. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0808:** Valve | UK Competition Appeal Tribunal | Excessive 30% commission passed to consumers; ~£656M sought | Verdict expected late 2026 | | Mid-2026 | Proposed class action v. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0809:** Microsoft | US (reported) | Microsoft matched Valve’s pricing instead of competing | Reported, early stage |. - *Source:* [Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-10-publishers-steam-price-fixing-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0810:** Online gaming giant Valve is fighting certification of a class of some 32,000 gaming publishers that distributed their titles through the company's Steam platform, arguing those publishers have nothing in common to assert any commonality in the alleged creation of a pricing floor that helped sustain Valve's 30% commissions. ### Game Developer Seeks Class Cert. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.law360.com/cases/60892b8ab2f7fcd469723042/articles) **Fact 0811:** In Valve Antitrust Case Developer Wolfire Games is asking a Seattle federal judge for class certification in its consolidated antitrust suit against online game seller Valve, saying discovery has brought abundant evidence that the platform uses its most-favored-nation clause to stifle competition and maintain monopoly power. ### Antitrust Claims Against Gaming Giant Valve Survive Scrutiny [...] Game developer Wolfire provided the "needed context" to press forward with what it calls the most important half of a proposed antitrust class action against online gaming giant Valve, a Seattle federal judge said, crediting core parts of the allegations over Valve's 30% commission. ### Game Maker's Antitrust Case Sent Back To Drawing Board Game developer Wolfire will have to redo its proposed antitrust class action against online gaming giant Valve after a Seattle federal judge found the complaint does not adequately show that Valve's ability to charge a 30% commission is based solely on its alleged efforts to limit game distribution alternatives. RELX Group Lexis Nexis. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.law360.com/cases/60892b8ab2f7fcd469723042/articles) **Fact 0812:** Valve initially set its commission rate at 30 percent 10 and held it steady for years. - *Source:* [ORDER for Wolfire Games LLC et al v. Valve Corporation](https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2021cv00563/298754/391) **Fact 0813:** To assess antitrust impact and injury, Valve … ings provides public. - *Source:* [ORDER for Wolfire Games LLC et al v. Valve Corporation](https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2021cv00563/298754/391) **Fact 0814:** A judge has ruled in the case of Wolfire versus Valve to dismiss the case. - *Source:* [Wolfire versus Valve antitrust lawsuit gets dismissed](https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/qzfwjj/wolfire_versus_valve_antitrust_lawsuit_gets) **Fact 0815:** any developer publisher or individual who has paid the 30% commission to steam on or after January 28th 2017 in the same order the judge denied valve's request to exclude the testimony of an expert Dr Steven Schwarz whom the two Studios called to argue their case both wallfire Studios and dark cat will be the class representatives for the action at this point we don't know how this case is going to go but after being dismissed once this lawsuit has come back with a vengeance and if this actually does pass um valves out for a lot of money like not just to these two developers but to every single developer publisher an individual on the platform who has sold a game like for the past seven years right I I I cannot express how big of a deal this would be if this actually does pass and it [...] # Valve's Antitrust Case Returns With A Vengeance ## Brodie Robertson 124000 subscribers 1128 likes ### Description 18404 views Posted: 7 Dec 2024 If you recall a few years back Wolfire Games launched an antitrust lawsuit against Valve and a few months later it got dismissed, well it didn't go away and now it has returned with a vengeance. ==========Support The Channel========== ► Patreon: ► Paypal: ► Liberapay: ► Amazon USA: ==========Resources========== GamingOnLinux Article: Wolfire Blog: 70/30 Split: Case Dismissed: =========Video Platforms========== 🎥 Odysee: 🎥 Podcast: 🎮 Gaming: ==========Social Media========== 🎤 Discord: 🐦 Twitter: 🌐 Mastodon: 🖥️ GitHub: ==========Credits========== 🎨 Channel Art: Profile Picture: [...] a fairly small VR Media company whose case had already been partially dismissed so it was already on like fairly Shaky Ground anyway but having wallf Fire's case also dismissed you know it seemed like a perfect pairing to try and get something done but that was all 3 years ago why am I bringing it up now well that new combined case hasn't been dismissed and it's been slowly getting worked on over these past couple of years here we have an article from gamesindustry.biz and according to recent court documents their motion for class certification was granted by United States District Judge Jamal n Whitehead transforming the antidust lawsuit from being two developers versus the company to now being a class action lawsuit applying to any developer publisher or individual who has paid the 30%. - *Source:* [Valve's Antitrust Case Returns With A Vengeance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cffEL6V-58E) **Fact 0816:** Plaintiffs allege that due to Valve’s controlling position, it unfairly restrains trade, monopolizes, and maintains it monopoly in the PC game distribution market, directly overcharging consumers who pay Valve inflated commissions when buying games. Plaintiffs allege that due to Valve’s dominance in the PC video game market, game publishers have little choice but to list their games on the Steam Store. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/in-re-valve-antitrust-litigation) **Fact 0817:** This leverage allows Valve to extract a commission of 30% on almost every game sold. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/in-re-valve-antitrust-litigation) **Fact 0818:** Consumers pay Valve’s inflated commission and the remainder goes to publishers, who must charge higher prices than they would otherwise. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/in-re-valve-antitrust-litigation) **Fact 0819:** [...] Plaintiffs further allege that Valve maintains a monopoly in the PC video game market and restrains competition by forcing game publishers to agree not to sell their games for lower prices on other games platforms. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/in-re-valve-antitrust-litigation) **Fact 0820:** This “Platform Most Favored Nation” contract clause (“PMFN”) prevents game publishers from offering reduced prices to consumers on game platforms that charge lower, non-monopolistic commissions. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/in-re-valve-antitrust-litigation) **Fact 0821:** The result is that competing platforms have almost no ability to compete with Valve—and the significant network effects that come with its dominant position—on either price or quality. - *Source:* [In re Valve Antitrust Litigation](https://www.cohenmilstein.com/case-study/in-re-valve-antitrust-litigation) **Fact 0822:** ## What the Experts and Litigants Are Saying The Wolfire Games founders set the tone early. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0823:** In a widely cited 2021 blog post explaining why the studio brought the suit, Wolfire argued that Steam’s market power lets Valve take a 30% cut that an open, competitive market would never sustain, and that the parity rules are what keep that cut from being competed down. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0824:** The studio framed itself as a reluctant plaintiff acting on behalf of developers too small to fight Valve alone. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0825:** [...] The consolidated litigation traces back to Wolfire Games, LLC, et al. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0826:** Wash.), filed in April 2021 by indie studio Wolfire Games alongside named gamer plaintiffs William Herbert and Daniel Escobar. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0827:** Two tracks now run in parallel: a developer/publisher class and a consumer class. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0828:** Judge Whitehead certified the developer class on November 25, 2024, covering roughly 32,000 entities that sold games on Steam or paid commissions to Valve since January 28, 2017 – a certification that consulting firm Secretariat International, in a June 2025 case overview, confirmed still stood as the operative publisher class heading toward trial. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0829:** On May 2, 2025, the court separately appointed Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll as sole Interim Lead Class Counsel for [...] Valve’s central defense is that its commission buys something real. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0830:** The 30% fee, the company argues, funds continuous platform investment: Steamworks SDK tools, automatic patching, Workshop mod hosting, cloud saves, Remote Play, anti-cheat, refunds, regional pricing, localization, and a storefront that reaches a global audience no competitor can replicate. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0831:** In Valve’s telling, the price-parity rule is not a weapon against competition but a guarantee to gamers that the Steam version will never be the overpriced one. - *Source:* [Steam Monopoly Lawsuit: Valve Antitrust Trial ... - Tech Insider](https://tech-insider.org/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-2026) **Fact 0832:** Wolfire Games, Herbert, and Escobar are represented by David D. - *Source:* [Valve CEO to testify in Steam antitrust lawsuit filed by ...](https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/video-games/valve-ceo-to-testify-in-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-wolfire-games) **Fact 0833:** Shinder of Constantine Cannon LLP, and Alicia Cobb, Steig D. - *Source:* [Valve CEO to testify in Steam antitrust lawsuit filed by ...](https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/video-games/valve-ceo-to-testify-in-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-wolfire-games) **Fact 0834:** Stevens of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. The Valve Games Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit is Wolfire Games, LLC, et al. - *Source:* [Valve CEO to testify in Steam antitrust lawsuit filed by ...](https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/video-games/valve-ceo-to-testify-in-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-wolfire-games) **Fact 0835:** District Court Western District of Washington. ## Don’t Miss Out! Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join! Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements: ## We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter. "\" indicates required fields Δ [...] “Gamers are injured by paying higher retail prices caused by Valve’s high commissions. - *Source:* [Valve CEO to testify in Steam antitrust lawsuit filed by ...](https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/video-games/valve-ceo-to-testify-in-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-wolfire-games) **Fact 0836:** Competition, output, and innovation are suppressed, in ways that can never be fully redressed by damages alone.” Wolfire Games, a video game publisher in San Francisco, entered into Steam Distribution Agreements with Valve so that its games could be compatible with the popular Steam Gaming Platform, the claim states. - *Source:* [Valve CEO to testify in Steam antitrust lawsuit filed by ...](https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/video-games/valve-ceo-to-testify-in-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-wolfire-games) **Fact 0837:** In order to have a game on the Steam platform, publishers must agree to sell games through the Steam Store. “As a result of Defendant’s anticompetitive practices, Wolfire Games has paid supracompetitive commissions to Valve.” [...] According to the claim, Valve, which was founded in 1996 by former Microsoft employees as a video game development company, has illegally monopolized the market and distorted and restrained competition through its Steam Store and Steam Gaming Platform. “Game publishers are forced to use the Steam Store and give Valve 30% of nearly every sale if they want to gain access to the Steam Gaming Platform—access they need in order to sell,” the claim states, adding that the Steam Gaming Platform is the most popular platform on the market with the most users. In order to afford Valve’s 30 percent commission, game publishers have to raise prices and can no longer afford to invest in innovation and creation, according to the class action lawsuit. - *Source:* [Valve CEO to testify in Steam antitrust lawsuit filed by ...](https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/video-games/valve-ceo-to-testify-in-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-filed-by-wolfire-games) **Fact 0838:** The court is not convinced by the CAC’s claim that the supracompetitive fee harm game publishers. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0839:** To explain, the court makes comparisons with this case and Sommers v. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0840:** First, the 30% supracompetitive fee has been constant since Steam’s genesis in 2001. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0841:** The supracompetitive fee did not begin once Steam grew into the popularity it has now. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0842:** This parallels Apple’s music download fee, which also remained constant. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0843:** Contrariwise, the Steam Store now offers volume discounts for game publishers. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0844:** Wolfire Games claims the court does not consider the “market reality” of this new consumer market, but the court concludes that the “market reality” is that the Steam Platform’s supracompetitive fee aligns with what is typical in the market, as “othe[r] [video game platform companies] who charge [...] Facts This case involved an antitrust Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint (“CAC”) from Wolfire Games, LLC, a desktop computer game publisher, against Valve Corporation, the owner of Steam Games, the desktop gaming platform (“Steam Platform”) and the desktop gaming store (“Steam Store”). - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0845:** created a monopoly that forced desktop game publishers to sell their games through the Steam Store. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0846:** In order for game publishers to have their games available at the Steam Store, game publishers must pay a supracompetitive fee, according to the Complaint. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0847:** Wolfire Games considers this fee as one they are forced to pay since they view Valve Corp as a monopoly of computer games. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0848:** [...] Business and Legal # Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games Antitrust lawsuit against Valve Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games Antitrust lawsuit against Valve Brianna Rodriguez, GW Law, 2L In April of 2021, Worlfire Games, the developer of the action video game, Overgrowth, filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Valve Corporation, the owner of Steam, a digital distribution platform. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0849:** A few months later, in November 2021, the court awarded Valve Corp the win, by dismissing the action but permitting Wolfire to file an amended complaint within thirty days of the order. The decision does bring some light into the how courts might apply antitrust laws to the gaming space, as the industry grows. Facts. - *Source:* [Dismissal of Overgrowth Developer Wolfire Games ...](https://www.estv.co/post/dismissal-of-overgrowth-developer-wolfire-games-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve) **Fact 0850:** In support of their arguments, plaintiffs put forth expert testimony claiming that the PMFN policy allows defendant to charge inflated commissions of 30% on Steam sales, while foreclosing competition from rival platforms and harming consumers and developers alike. - *Source:* [Game Developers Win Class Certification In Valve Antitrust ...](https://www.lit-antitrust.aoshearman.com/Game-Developers-Win-Class-Certification-In-Valve-Antitrust-Case) **Fact 0851:** Whitehead certified a class of approximately 32,000 game developers who accuse digital PC game distributor Valve Corp. - *Source:* [Game Developers Win Class Certification In Valve Antitrust ...](https://www.lit-antitrust.aoshearman.com/Game-Developers-Win-Class-Certification-In-Valve-Antitrust-Case) **Fact 0852:** of stifling competition in the Personal Computer (“PC”) game distribution market through its Steam platform. - *Source:* [Game Developers Win Class Certification In Valve Antitrust ...](https://www.lit-antitrust.aoshearman.com/Game-Developers-Win-Class-Certification-In-Valve-Antitrust-Case) **Fact 0853:** Defendant, the largest video game distributor in the world, started out developing its own games, but now leaves this task to others and, instead, sells and distributes those games to end users through its Steam platform offering over 50,000 titles for sale and play. - *Source:* [Game Developers Win Class Certification In Valve Antitrust ...](https://www.lit-antitrust.aoshearman.com/Game-Developers-Win-Class-Certification-In-Valve-Antitrust-Case) **Fact 0854:** [...] Categories: Class Certification, Sherman Act § 1, Sherman Act § 2 ### Links & Downloads Wolfire Games LLC, et al. - *Source:* [Game Developers Win Class Certification In Valve Antitrust ...](https://www.lit-antitrust.aoshearman.com/Game-Developers-Win-Class-Certification-In-Valve-Antitrust-Case) ## UOKiK Poland antimonopoly investigation Valve Steam platform regional pricing and distribution **Fact 0855:** Poland's UOKiK is investigating Valve's Steam and PlayStation Network for potential anti-competitive practices. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0856:** The investigation focuses on inflated regional pricing and market restrictions. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0857:** May 17, 2024 - Valve’s Steam faces intense scrutiny amidst the government’s investigation. - *Source:* [Gaming News: Poland Investigating Digital Game Platforms](https://www.zleague.gg/theportal/gaming-news-poland-investigating-digital-game-platforms) **Fact 0858:** User Choowkee questions the coincidence of Poland’s investigation and inflated regional pricing, sparking curiosity within the community. - *Source:* [Gaming News: Poland Investigating Digital Game Platforms](https://www.zleague.gg/theportal/gaming-news-poland-investigating-digital-game-platforms) **Fact 0859:** Video game market investigation Another investigation by UOKiK focuses on suspected anti-competitive practices by providers of digital video game distribution platforms. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0860:** According to the statement from UOKiK, the investigation particularly concerns actions by providers such as PlayStation Store and Steam. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0861:** The concerns include imposing restrictions on the sale of games and additional content on competing platforms or online stores, interfering with the pricing and discount policies of game developers and publishers, and limiting market access for competing platforms and other digital service providers. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0862:** [...] As a result of the appeal filed by UOKiK, the Court of Appeal upheld the fine in its original amount. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0863:** The Court of Appeal stated that SOKiK had overstepped its bounds by significantly reducing the base rate for calculating the fine, thereby infringing upon UOKiK’s administrative discretion. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0864:** The case is worth watching, as the matter is ongoing and a cassation complaint has been filed to the Supreme Court. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0865:** Investigating the digital sector - a new trend? Video game market investigation [...] Jura Poland (initiation of proceedings) In May 2024, UOKiK announced on its website the initiation of proceedings against Jura Poland. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0866:** According to UOKiK, Jura Poland, an exclusive importer of Jura brand coffee machines, may have engaged in price-fixing collusion with major electronics and appliance stores for nearly a decade. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0867:** UOKiK has initiated proceedings against Jura Poland, its distributors, and an individual executive responsible for the company's distribution policy. - *Source:* [Developments in Competition Law and Policy 2024 - Poland](https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/competition-blog/main-developments-in-competition-law-and-policy-2024-poland) **Fact 0868:** The UOKiK's investigation focuses on several key areas of concern, including the alleged abuse of dominant market positions, exploitation of game developers leading to higher prices for players, restrictions on the sale of games across rival platforms or online stores, interference with pricing and discount policies, and limiting market access for competitors. Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK, highlighted the evolving landscape of game distribution, emphasizing the shift towards digital platforms over traditional retail sales. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0869:** He expressed concerns that such market dynamics might be accompanied by restrictive practices by major players, prompting the initiation of the investigation. ### Evidence Gathering And Potential Penalties Image Image [...] UOKiK encourages individuals with information on competition-restricting practices to utilize their anonymous whistleblower program, ensuring full anonymity throughout the process. ### Steam’s Inflated Pricing In Poland Image Image Another event that may be connected to the regulator’s decision may be the recent investigation by Polish website Lowcygier.pl, which shed light on the disparity in game prices on Valve's platform. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0870:** The investigation revealed that Poland pays among the highest prices globally due to outdated exchange rates. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0871:** This disproportionality and the country's average wages prompted the media outlet to initiate an appeal to rectify the situation. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0872:** [...] Image Image The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection started a preliminary investigation on Steam and PlayStation Network for possible anti-competitive practices. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0873:** Read on to learn more about what started this inquiry. ## Steam And PSN’s Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices ### Poland Starts An Investigation Polish regulators have launched a preliminary investigation into leading digital video game platforms, Steam and PlayStation Network (PSN), over concerns about potential anti-competitive practices. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0874:** The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) published a preliminary report last Monday, scrutinizing these platforms to ascertain if they violate Poland's antitrust laws. - *Source:* [Steam and PSN Overpricing Concerns Spark Investigation in Poland｜Game8](https://game8.co/articles/latest/steam-and-psn-overpricing-concerns-spark-investigation-in-poland) **Fact 0875:** ### Tags: PlayStation Store, Poland, Steam The Polish Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (UOKiK) suspects that a number of digital gaming platforms are hindering the development of competition. - *Source:* [In Poland, Steam, PlayStation Store and other gaming platforms will be checked for compliance with antitrust laws | App2top](https://app2top.com/news/in-poland-steam-playstation-store-and-other-gaming-platforms-will-be-checked-for-compliance-with-antitrust-laws-266591.html) **Fact 0876:** It has launched a preliminary investigation. God of War: Ragnarök The agency believes that platforms can: to abuse its dominant position in the digital game distribution market; exploit game developers and publishers; interfere with the pricing policy of games and discounts; to prevent the sale of games on competing platforms or in other online stores; to prevent competitors from entering the market. - *Source:* [In Poland, Steam, PlayStation Store and other gaming platforms will be checked for compliance with antitrust laws | App2top](https://app2top.com/news/in-poland-steam-playstation-store-and-other-gaming-platforms-will-be-checked-for-compliance-with-antitrust-laws-266591.html) **Fact 0877:** [...] In particular, UOKiK is going to explore the work of Steam and the PlayStation Store. - *Source:* [In Poland, Steam, PlayStation Store and other gaming platforms will be checked for compliance with antitrust laws | App2top](https://app2top.com/news/in-poland-steam-playstation-store-and-other-gaming-platforms-will-be-checked-for-compliance-with-antitrust-laws-266591.html) **Fact 0878:** It has already conducted an audit at Sony's headquarters in Poland and the offices of two Polish game developers/publishers. In an official statement, UOKiK stressed that at this stage it is not making accusations against specific companies, but is conducting proceedings in the case as a whole. - *Source:* [In Poland, Steam, PlayStation Store and other gaming platforms will be checked for compliance with antitrust laws | App2top](https://app2top.com/news/in-poland-steam-playstation-store-and-other-gaming-platforms-will-be-checked-for-compliance-with-antitrust-laws-266591.html) **Fact 0879:** But if the evidence gathered confirms his suspicions, UOKiK will bring such charges. Companies that violate Polish antitrust laws face fines of up to 10% of annual income. - *Source:* [In Poland, Steam, PlayStation Store and other gaming platforms will be checked for compliance with antitrust laws | App2top](https://app2top.com/news/in-poland-steam-playstation-store-and-other-gaming-platforms-will-be-checked-for-compliance-with-antitrust-laws-266591.html) **Fact 0880:** In addition, managers who were responsible for the implementation of anti-competitive practices may be additionally fined up to 2 million zlotys (506 thousand dollars). ### A source: Bankier.pl ### Tags: [...] ### A source: Bankier.pl ### Tags: PlayStation Store Poland Steam. - *Source:* [In Poland, Steam, PlayStation Store and other gaming platforms will be checked for compliance with antitrust laws | App2top](https://app2top.com/news/in-poland-steam-playstation-store-and-other-gaming-platforms-will-be-checked-for-compliance-with-antitrust-laws-266591.html) **Fact 0881:** May 14, 2024 - According to UOKiK's official website, the regulator recently launched a preliminary investigation to find out whether Steam, PlayStation Network, and other digital platform are violating the country's antitrust laws (also spotted by MauroNL). - *Source:* [News - Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PSN on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | NeoGAF](https://www.neogaf.com/threads/poland-to-scrutinize-digital-game-platforms-like-steam-and-psn-on-suspicion-of-anti-competitive-practices.1670549) **Fact 0882:** ### Tags: PlayStation, Poland, Steam, UOKiK Polish regulators have expressed concerns over possible anti-competitive practices by digital video game platforms. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0883:** The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) may initiate proceedings based on the analysis of the collected data. According to UOKiK’s official website, the regulator recently launched a preliminary investigation to find out whether Steam, PlayStation Store, and other digital platform are violating the country’s antitrust laws (also spotted by MauroNL). The UOKiK suspects that certain game companies may engage in practices such as: [...] The regulator has already inspected the headquarters of Sony Group in Poland and two offices of local game developers and publishers. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0884:** It is currently analyzing the collected evidence, and if it confirms the suspicions, the UOKiK may launch antitrust proceedings and bring charges against specific companies. Entities found to be engaging in anti-competitive practices may be fined up to 10% of their annual revenue. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0885:** Managers responsible for such decisions may be fined up to PLN 2 million ($506k). It is worth noting that during the preliminary investigation, the UOKiK doesn’t bring specific charges against the suspected companies. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0886:** As the regulator explained in its post, the proceedings are “conducted in the case itself and not in relation to specific entrepreneurs.” [...] Abusing their dominant position in the digital game distribution market; Exploiting game developers and imposing higher prices for players; Restricting the sale of games on rival platforms or other online stores; Interfering with the pricing and discount policies of game developers and publishers; Limiting market access to rival platforms and other digital service providers. “The digital game distribution market is displacing traditional sales,” UOKiK president Tomasz Chróstny said in a statement. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0887:** “Gamers are increasingly less likely to buy games in boxes but are sourcing digital copies on online sales platforms. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0888:** At the same time, we see that there may be restrictive practices by major players in this market.”. - *Source:* [Poland to scrutinize digital game platforms like Steam and PS Store on suspicion of anti-competitive practices | Game World Observer](https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/05/14/poland-investigate-steam-ps-store-anti-competitive-uokik) **Fact 0889:** For that reason, it launched an investigation involving Steam, the PlayStation Store, as well as 2 development studios and 2 distributors that were not disclosed for now. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0890:** In case of finding evidence of anti-competitive practices, the regulator will fine the companies with a significant sum. ## Investigation could cost Sony and Valve millions 851012.jpg PlayStation and Steam could be fined millions The UOKiK has already got down to business and recently inspected the offices of Sony and other companies in Poland. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0891:** Its goal is to analyze the evidence collected to confirm or rule out possible anti-competitive practices. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0892:** [...] Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new window Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new window # Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices By Daniel Laguna on ## The companies could be fined with a significant sum of money. Sony and Valve could be in some trouble soon, as authorities in Poland investigate PlayStation and Steam for alleged anti-competitive practices. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0893:** Poland's Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) is concerned about the way some digital game stores operate. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0894:** [...] Specifically, it is looking for signs of abuse of dominant position or prohibited agreements in the digital game distribution sector. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0895:** The agency argues that such practices can harm all other companies and gamers alike, as they impact distribution and pricing. “Gamers are increasingly less likely to buy games in boxes but are sourcing digital copies on online sales platforms. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0896:** At the same time, we see that there may be restrictive practices by major players in this market”, said Tomasz Chróstny, chairman of the regulator. In case evidence of anticompetitive practices is found, companies will be fined. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0897:** The amount will be up to 10% of their annual profits, so it would be a significant sum. - *Source:* [Authorities investigate PlayStation and Steam for anticompetitive practices | LEVEL UP](https://www.levelup.com/en/news/authorities-investigate-playstation-and-steam-for-anticompetitive-practices) **Fact 0898:** Evidence collected will be investigated for signs of anti-competitive practices, such as "prohibited agreements or abuse of a dominant position by providers of digital distribution platforms for video games." The UOKiK highlighted that the effect of engaging in these practices could harm consumers by excluding competing platforms, the exploitation of developers and publishers, and higher prices for players. If the evidence indicates anti-competitive practices have taken place, the firms could face fines of up to 10% of their annual earnings. - *Source:* [Polish regulators to investigate PS Store and Steam for anti-competitive practices | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/polish-regulators-to-investigate-ps-store-and-steam-for-anti-competitive-practices) **Fact 0899:** Managers involved could face a fine of up to PLN 2 million ($507,000). "The digital game distribution market is displacing traditional sales," said UOKiK president Tomasz Chróstny. - *Source:* [Polish regulators to investigate PS Store and Steam for anti-competitive practices | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/polish-regulators-to-investigate-ps-store-and-steam-for-anti-competitive-practices) **Fact 0900:** [...] Home News # Polish regulators to investigate PS Store and Steam for anti-competitive practices An inspection has already taken place at Sony's headquarters in Poland Sophie McEvoy avatar News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched a preliminary investigation into digital game platforms including Steam and the PlayStation Store for anti-competitive practices. The regulator revealed that an inspection has taken place at Sony's headquarters in Poland, in addition to two unnamed video game developers and publishers. - *Source:* [Polish regulators to investigate PS Store and Steam for anti-competitive practices | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/polish-regulators-to-investigate-ps-store-and-steam-for-anti-competitive-practices) **Fact 0901:** [...] Latest News Sign in for free to manage your site experience. - *Source:* [Polish regulators to investigate PS Store and Steam for anti-competitive practices | GamesIndustry.biz](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/polish-regulators-to-investigate-ps-store-and-steam-for-anti-competitive-practices) **Fact 0902:** The President of UOKiK has initiated the preliminary investigation as a consequence of the suspicion of possible anti-competitive practices by providers of digital distribution platforms for video games. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0903:** In particular, the investigation concerns the actions of providers of platforms such as the PlayStation Store and Steam. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0904:** [...] The UOKiK inspection took place at the headquarters of a Sony group company as well as at two video game developers and publishers in Poland. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0905:** The evidence collected will indicate whether there may have been restrictive practices: prohibited agreements or abuse of a dominant position by providers of digital distribution platforms for video games. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0906:** Their effect could be the exclusion of competing platforms, advanced exploitation of game developers and publishers, and higher prices for players. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0907:** These include applying restrictions on the sale of games and ancillary content on competing platforms or online stores, interfering with the pricing and discount policies of game developers and publishers, or restricting market access to competing platforms and other digital service providers. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0908:** [...] > - The digital game distribution market is displacing traditional sales. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0909:** Gamers are increasingly less likely to buy games in boxes but are sourcing digital copies on online sales platforms. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0910:** At the same time, we see that there may be restrictive practices by major players in this market. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0911:** That is why I have initiated the preliminary investigation and have had three entrepreneurs inspected. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0912:** We are currently reviewing the collected evidence – says the President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny. - *Source:* [Video game market - preliminary investigation](https://uokik.gov.pl/en/video-game-market-preliminary-investigation) **Fact 0913:** May 13, 2024 - Ale ceny regionalnie są automatycznie ustalane na podstawie kursu euro z lutego 2022. - *Source:* [r/Polska on Reddit: Steam na celowniku UOKiK. Inne platformy dystrybucji cyfrowej gier też](https://www.reddit.com/r/Polska/comments/1cqwre8/steam_na_celowniku_uokik_inne_platformy) **Fact 0914:** Dokładnie, stąd napisałem że jest to problem mało nagłośniony który pewnie w świadomości pracowników Valve nawet nie istnieje. - *Source:* [r/Polska on Reddit: Steam na celowniku UOKiK. Inne platformy dystrybucji cyfrowej gier też](https://www.reddit.com/r/Polska/comments/1cqwre8/steam_na_celowniku_uokik_inne_platformy) ## Zaiger LLC mass arbitration against Valve Steam antitrust claims **Fact 0915:** Valve sued Zaiger LLC for orchestrating mass arbitration claims against it, but the lawsuit was dismissed in 2024 due to lack of jurisdiction. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0916:** Zaiger aimed to recruit 75,000 clients for arbitration, potentially costing Valve $225 million. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0917:** Valve's arbitration clause favored consumers, making it a target. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0918:** In response to the surge in arbitration claims, Valve took legal action against Zaiger LLC in October 2023. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0919:** The company alleged that the law firm orchestrated an "extortive plan" to recruit up to 75,000 clients to file arbitration claims, potentially saddling Valve with over $225 million in fees. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0920:** "Zaiger targeted Valve and Steam users for its scheme precisely because the arbitration clause in the SSA is 'favorable' to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs associated with arbitration," Valve stated in its complaint. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0921:** [...] The lawsuit highlighted that prior to Zaiger's actions, Valve had faced minimal arbitration cases. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0922:** From 2017 to 2022, only two instances required arbitration, both resolved in Valve's favor. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0923:** However, the mass arbitration strategy threatened to overwhelm the company financially, prompting the legal battle. On August 20, 2024, Valve's lawsuit against Zaiger LLC was dismissed without prejudice due to lack of jurisdiction, as ruled by the U.S. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0924:** District Court for the Western District of Washington. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0925:** The dismissal left open the possibility for Valve to refile the case in a proper jurisdiction but also underscored the complexities involved in curbing mass arbitration efforts. - *Source:* [Valve Removes Mandatory Arbitration from Steam ...](https://www.legal.io/blog/5540864/Valve-Removes-Mandatory-Arbitration-from-Steam-Subscriber-Agreement) **Fact 0926:** Chamber of Commerce – a stalwart foe of both mass arbitration and litigation finance – could not have dreamed up a more vivid illustration of the purported perils of both than a lawsuit by gaming company Valve. Valve alleges that a small law firm, Zaiger, is attempting to “extort” a settlement by threatening to bring arbitration cases alleging antitrust violations on behalf of more than 50,000 customers of Valve’s game distribution platform Steam. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0927:** The company is suing not only Zaiger but also the litigation financier that allegedly provided seed money for the plaintiffs' firm to launch a social media advertising campaign to sign up Steam customers as clients. Sign up here. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0928:** [...] The slide presentation specifically suggested Valve as a target, since the company had already been sued in a class action alleging that the distribution platform abused its market dominance. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0929:** A federal judge refused in 2022 to dismiss antitrust claims by software developers who used Steam to distribute their products. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0930:** The same judge ruled that Steam consumers must arbitrate their claims. Zaiger said that was a huge opportunity: It could “immediately begin recruiting claimants to pursue the claims a federal judge has now ruled are well-pled and potentially viable.” [...] Plenty of other mass arbitration targets, of course, have complained about plaintiffs’ tactics. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0931:** What’s remarkable about Valve’s suit is that the company obtained a slide presentation about Zaiger’s plans to launch a mass arbitration campaign and a sworn affidavit from a former Zaiger lawyer, William Bucher, who claims that he was deeply involved in the firm’s pitch to its litigation financier. Bucher, a former associate at Debevoise & Plimpton and Fenwick & West, spent only six months at Zaiger. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0932:** He and the firm are now in their own heated litigation in New York State Supreme Court over who gets to represent the tens of thousands of Steam customers Zaiger signed up during Bucher’s brief tenure. - *Source:* [Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of ‘extortion’ | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08) **Fact 0933:** That slide deck contemplated bringing a mass arbitration against Valve for their anti-competitive pricing restraints (the “Steam Mass Arbitration”). - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0934:** The Steam Mass Arbitration was the first mass arbitration strategy that I proposed to Jeff Zaiger that the new mass arbitration practice at Zaiger LLC could pursue. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0935:** FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/09/2023 03:20 PM INDEX NO. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0936:** 29 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/09/2023 4 of 106 5 Zaiger told me that he would be sending the Mass Arbitration Slide Deck to Black Diamond for consideration. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0937:** Zaiger sent me an offer of employment (the “Original Employment Offer”). - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0938:** A true and correct copy of the Original Employment Offer is attached hereto as Exhibit B. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0939:** The Original Employment [...] Complaint”), Zaiger LLC’s funder for the “Steam Mass Arbitration” said his funding was contingent on Zaiger LLC agreeing, in advance, to drop the mass arbitrations and abandon the Steam Mass Arbitration clients if Valve does not immediately settle the case upon notice that the Steam Mass Arbitration clients have paid their filing fees and if, instead, Valve pays its own filing fees in arbitration and prepares to defend the individual arbitrations on the merits. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0940:** He expressed his belief that any litigation of the cases after Valve had paid its arbitration fees would be fruitless and that William Bucher Angus F. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0941:** Ni July 25, 2023 Page 4 Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP he was uninterested in paying for it. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0942:** He further stated that “once the filing fees are paid by Valve, the cow is out [...] mass arbitration strategy and Bucher joining Zaiger LLC to lead it. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0943:** In June of 2022, Bucher and Jeff Zaiger prepared a slide deck outlining Bucher’s mass arbitration proposal. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0944:** A final version of that slide deck (“Mass Arbitration Slide Deck”) was created on June 6, 2022. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0945:** That slide deck contemplated bringing a mass arbitration against Valve Corporation (“Valve”) for their anti-competitive pricing restraints with respect to Valve’s video game digital distribution service, called “Steam” (the “Steam Mass Arbitration”). - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0946:** The Steam Mass Arbitration was the first mass arbitration strategy that Bucher proposed to Jeff Zaiger that the new mass arbitration practice at Zaiger LLC could pursue. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0947:** On or around June 6, 2022, the Mass Arbitration Slide Deck was presented to Black Diamond for. - *Source:* [1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ...](https://myrandomjunk.s3.amazonaws.com/valve_complaint_2.pdf) **Fact 0948:** Previously, Valve had preferred arbitration due to low legal costs and minimal claims from consumers. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0949:** However, in October 2023, Valve filed a lawsuit against a law firm, Zaiger LLC, aiming to stop them from submitting numerous arbitration claims. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0950:** Valve claimed that the law firm's plan to represent 75,000 clients could expose them to significant arbitration fees. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0951:** They estimated that the potential claims would cost Valve around $225 million, with the firm purposefully targeted the gaming company because the arbitration conditions previously favored consumers. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0952:** [...] Zaiger had created a Steam Claims website, indicating that many Steam users have engaged their services to address concerns over games pricing. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0953:** Users could receive compensation offers through arbitration simply by completing an initial form. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0954:** A similar approach was used by another law firm, Mason LLP, to assist gamers with their arbitration claims against Steam. In the Valve lawsuit against Zaiger, it was noted that in the five years prior to the involvement of Zaiger, there were only two arbitration instances against Steam, both of which were resolved in Valve’s favor. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0955:** The lawsuit against Zaiger was dismissed without prejudice on August 20, 2024, as the court ruled it did not have jurisdiction over the firm. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0956:** [...] The Steam antitrust case acts as a collective action claim, representing a larger group of individuals who bought games or content through Steam or other platforms since 2018. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0957:** This particular Steam pricing lawsuit is supported by legal firm Milberg London LLP, which specializes in group actions against large companies. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0958:** In addition, a separate consumer lawsuit was filed against Valve in the US in August 2024. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0959:** Valve launched Steam in 2003 and has since expanded its offerings to include hardware such as the Steam Deck in 2022 and even the upcoming console called the Steam Box said to release on the market in 2026. The Valve Legal Battle with the Rothschilds over Patent Infringements. - *Source:* [From Wishlist to Courtroom: The Steam Lawsuits Explained](https://www.yuplay.com/blog/from-wishlist-to-courtroom-the-steam-lawsuits-explained) **Fact 0960:** activity or an occurrence that takes place in the forum State.” Goodyear, 564 U.S., at 919 [] (internal quotation marks and brackets in original omitted). - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0961:** When there is no such connection, specific jurisdiction is lacking regardless of the extent of a defendant's unconnected activities in the State. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0962:** 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Bristol-Myers, 582 U.S. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0963:** Valve’s claims center on Zaiger’s alleged interference with the business relationships Valve has with its Steam users and Zaiger’s alleged abuse of process related to the firm’s arbitration claims against Valve. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0964:** Valve claims that Zaiger “intentionally induced and/or caused Steam users to breach their respective [SSAs]” by violating the SSA’s “dispute resolution clause requiring a good-faith attempt [...] has used internet 24 advertisements to target Steam users. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0965:** # 9) - 2 On October 20, 2023, Valve filed this action in King County Superior Court. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0966:** On November, 27, 2023, Zaiger removed the case to federal court. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0967:** Valve alleges that 3 Zaiger improperly interfered with the terms of the SSAs “between Valve and Zaiger’s Steam 4 user clients, specifically including the Zaiger clients for whom Zaiger has filed arbitrations.” 5 Dkt. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0968:** Valve brings two causes of action: (1) tortious interference with the 6 “contractual relationships and business expectancies in relation to the customers of its Steam 7 platform”; and (2) abuse of process by bringing “arbitration claims against Valve in 8 contravention of the [...] the arbitration filing fees and costs “for non-frivolous, non-harassing 17 claims seeking up to ten thousand dollars.” Id. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0969:** The SSA prohibits Steam 18 users from bringing or participating in a collective or representative arbitration. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0970:** 19 Valve says that Zaiger has “targeted Valve and Steam users. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0971:** because the arbitration 20 clause in the SSA is ‘favorable’ to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs 21 associated with arbitration.” Id. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0972:** Zaiger plans “to recruit 75,000 22 clients and threaten Valve with arbitration on behalf of those clients, thus exposing Valve to 23 potentially millions of dollars of arbitration fees[.]” Id. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0973:** Zaiger has used internet 24 advertisements to target Steam users. - *Source:* [Valve Corporation v. Zaiger LLC et al, 2:2023cv01819 - Document 28 (W.D. Wash. 2024)](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2023cv01819/328826/28) **Fact 0974:** Valve sued the law firm, Zaiger LLC, alleging that it targeted Valve in a scheme to recruit large numbers of clients for arbitration claims to. - *Source:* [The End of Steam's Arbitration Agreement - Video Game Law](https://videogamelaw.allard.ubc.ca/2025/04/01/the-end-of-steams-arbitration-agreement-when-class-action-is-preferred) **Fact 0975:** on Zaiger LLC agreeing, in advance, to drop the mass arbitrations and abandon the Steam Mass Arbitration clients if Valve does not .. - *Source:* [Lawsuit against valve for monoplozing and manipulating ...](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3811782223879456567) **Fact 0976:** Valve says that Zaiger has “targeted Valve and Steam users. - *Source:* [Agree : r/Steam](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1fqdoxa/agree) **Fact 0977:** because the arbitration clause in the SSA is 'favorable' to Steam users in. - *Source:* [Agree : r/Steam](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1fqdoxa/agree) **Fact 0978:** The valve class action centers on the argument that Valve used its dominance in the PC gaming market to control prices and stifle competition from other platforms. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0979:** According to court documents, developers were allegedly discouraged (or outright prevented) from offering their games at lower prices outside of Steam, which could be seen as a violation of antitrust laws. The mason llp Steam lawsuit outlines how Valve’s pricing policies may have caused harm to both consumers and developers by keeping prices artificially high. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0980:** Zaiger llc Steam filings support these claims with further details about how the platform’s market influence may have blocked better deals from reaching gamers. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0981:** [...] This lawsuit could have long-term effects on game pricing, developer freedom, and how major platforms handle distribution and sales. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0982:** Whether you’re a gamer, publisher, or simply interested in digital rights, this case is one to watch closely. ## Who Filed the Steam Class Action Lawsuit? The Steam class action lawsuit was filed by two law firms that are no strangers to high-profile digital rights cases: Mason LLP and Zaiger LLC. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0983:** These firms represent the plaintiffs (the gamers and developers) who claim that Valve’s pricing rules unfairly limit competition and drive up costs across the board. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0984:** If you’re curious about the process, you can learn more about how to start class action lawsuit. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0985:** [...] These legal teams are pushing for change in the way major platforms operate. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0986:** By challenging Valve’s pricing model, they are calling for more transparency and freedom in how games are sold and priced online. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0987:** Their goal is not just a settlement, it’s about reshaping digital marketplaces to be fairer for everyone involved. ## What Are the Antitrust Allegations Against Valve? At the center of the Steam antitrust lawsuit are some serious claims about how Valve controls game pricing across digital platforms. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0988:** Plaintiffs argue that Valve uses its dominant position in the PC gaming world to block developers from offering their games at lower prices anywhere outside of Steam. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0989:** That means if a game is $29.99 on Steam, it can’t be cheaper on another platform, even if the developer wants it to be. - *Source:* [Steam Class Action Lawsuit: What Gamers Need to Know](https://casepacer.com/resources/steam-class-action-lawsuit) **Fact 0990:** Zaiger and, sure enough: > Valve says that Zaiger has “targeted Valve and Steam users. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0991:** because the arbitration clause in the SSA is ‘favorable' to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs associated with arbitration.” > Valve says that Zaiger has “targeted Valve and Steam users. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0992:** because the arbitration clause in the SSA is ‘favorable' to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs associated with arbitration.” | | | | [...] pointed out Valve v. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0993:** Zaiger and, sure enough: > Valve says that Zaiger has “targeted Valve and Steam users. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0994:** because the arbitration clause in the SSA is ‘favorable' to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs associated with arbitration.” | | | [...] I have no idea about costs other than I hear that small claims court is reasonably affordable. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0995:** There are also attorney costs, of course, but I think you’d hire an attorney for arbitration anyway. Edit: FMecha pointed out Valve v. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0996:** because the arbitration clause in the SSA is ‘favorable' to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs associated with arbitration.” Edit: FMecha pointed out Valve v. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) **Fact 0997:** because the arbitration clause in the SSA is ‘favorable' to Steam users in that Valve agrees to pay the fees and costs associated with arbitration.”. - *Source:* [> Valve has updated the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The updates affect your lega... | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41666197) ## Bitdefender Scamio Steam trade redirection scam API key interception analysis **Fact 0998:** Steam API key scams involve fraudsters intercepting trades using stolen keys; Bitdefender Scamio detects and warns against such scams; regularly revoke and regenerate Steam API keys to prevent fraud. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 0999:** In a trade redirection scam, a scammer will coerce you to trade your items to what you believe is a trusted account. - *Source:* [Scam: Trade Redirection](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/7F4E-1D40-43D0-73FD) **Fact 1000:** Steam API Key Scam (Trade Redirection) How it Works: Scammers use a stolen API key to monitor your account. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1001:** When you start a legitimate trade, a bot cancels it and sends an identical-looking offer to a scammer account. Prevention: Visit the Steam API Key page. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1002:** If you didn't create the key shown, revoke it, change your password, and deauthorize all devices. Pro Tip: Use a “Decoy Item” (like a $0.01 sticker). - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1003:** If the trade partner's side of the offer is empty on your mobile confirmation, the trade has been hijacked. ### 2. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1004:** Phishing & Fake Marketplaces [...] More insidious are API key exploits and inventory cheats, where dormant keys from past shady logins allow bots to intercept legitimate trades, swapping real items for fakes, or client-side hacks fake high-value skins during Discord deals that vanish after you send first. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1005:** P2P reversals abuse Valve's 7-day hold policies, letting fraudsters reclaim skins post-payment while chargebacking cash, making bot-based sites like SkinsMonkey.com the only reliable safeguard. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1006:** If you want to trade CS2 skins but are worried about CS2 trading scams, certified trading sites like SkinsMonkey.com are the only way. ## Most Common Scams in CS2 Below you can find the most common scams in CS2 trading to watch out for in 2026: ### 1. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1007:** Steam API Key Scam (Trade Redirection) [...] Are streamjacking or QR code scams still a threat in 2026? Hijacked streams push fake giveaways with QR codes that steal Steam Guard access. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1008:** Only scan QR codes from official Steam domains, and verify streams via badges and history. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1009:** Stick to trusted platforms like SkinsMonkey for safe trades. Alex Churick Alex Churick A true gaming enthusiast, especially Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS2) and Rust. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1010:** At SkinsMonkey, he is involved in creating game guides based on his own experience. Contents 1. - *Source:* [How to Avoid CS2 Scams in 2026 (Steam API & Phishing Protection) - Latest News from CS2 (CS:GO), Dota 2 & Rust - SkinsMonkey's Blog](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/how-to-avoid-cs2-scams-ultimate-2026-guide) **Fact 1011:** If Scamio detects any red flags or detects a match with a known scam, it promptly alerts you, ensuring your peace of mind by providing scam verdicts based on its analysis. - *Source:* [Your Ultimate Guide to Bitdefender Scamio - Acora ONE](https://acora.com/one/news/article/ultimate-guide-to-bitdefender-scamio) **Fact 1012:** It operates on the principle of proactive threat detection, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning and behavioural analysis to identify and neutralise potential threats before they can inflict harm. Unlike traditional antivirus software that relies on signature-based detection, Bitdefender Scamio adopts a more dynamic approach, continuously adapting to emerging threats in real-time. - *Source:* [Your Ultimate Guide to Bitdefender Scamio - Acora ONE](https://acora.com/one/news/article/ultimate-guide-to-bitdefender-scamio) **Fact 1013:** With each encounter, Scamio hones its intelligence, becoming even more adept at identifying and thwarting potential threats. ### How Bitdefender Scamio Works to Combat Online Scams: [...] ### How Bitdefender Scamio Works to Combat Online Scams: Bitdefender Scamio employs a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, combining signature-based detection with advanced heuristic analysis and machine learning algorithms to identify and mitigate online fraud. Scamio utilises the below: ### How to use Bitdefender Scamio With its super use friendly interface, as a new user, it couldn’t be easier to start: Step 1: Create/sign in to a Bitdefender account to use the chat bot. Step 2: Clearly outline the potential threat in the chat, upload an image, describe the message, or send a link. Step 3: Scamio will then provide you with analysis results, advice moving forward and top tips. ### Benefits: A Complimentary Scam Detection Service [...] In this comprehensive guide, we delve into what this chat bot is is, its benefits, how it works, and why SME owners or managers in the UK should consider integrating it into their cybersecurity arsenal. ### Understanding Bitdefender Scamio: A Scam Detector Think of Scamio as your trusted assistant in scam detection and sniffing out scams. - *Source:* [Your Ultimate Guide to Bitdefender Scamio - Acora ONE](https://acora.com/one/news/article/ultimate-guide-to-bitdefender-scamio) **Fact 1014:** It deciphers the legitimacy of a message, by dissecting it, analysing sender details, message structure, and linguistic cues. - *Source:* [Your Ultimate Guide to Bitdefender Scamio - Acora ONE](https://acora.com/one/news/article/ultimate-guide-to-bitdefender-scamio) **Fact 1015:** This analysis involves cross-referencing against a collection of predetermined criteria and Bitdefender’s extensive repository of known fraudulent activities. - *Source:* [Your Ultimate Guide to Bitdefender Scamio - Acora ONE](https://acora.com/one/news/article/ultimate-guide-to-bitdefender-scamio) **Fact 1016:** Bitdefender Scamio is designed to detect sophisticated scams. - *Source:* [Your Ultimate Guide to Bitdefender Scamio - Acora ONE](https://acora.com/one/news/article/ultimate-guide-to-bitdefender-scamio) **Fact 1017:** Scamio will carefully analyze the material you provide and let you know if it looks safe or if there’s any potential security threat. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1018:** Our scam detector is ready to assist you further by providing recommendations to make sure you don’t fall victim to clever cybercriminals. ### Is Scamio free to use? Yes! Bitdefender Scamio is a free AI-powered scam detector that will help you and your dear ones easily spot fake messages. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1019:** You can chat with Scamio on Web, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Discord and get an instant analysis. ### Why should I use a free scam detector like Scamio? [...] Free, easy-to-use AI chatbot No download, no install needed Available on web, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Discord Extensive threat analysis and scam detection Practical tips and tricks to avoid scams. style migration ## Bitdefender Scamio. ## How does it work? Scamio makes light work out of uncovering even the best-disguised scams. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1020:** Just follow the simple steps below and never take any risk again. Step 1. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1021:** To chat with Scamio, sign in or create a Bitdefender account. Step 2. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1022:** Describe the scam or upload an image, send a link, or a text. Step 3. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1023:** Get the results, see tips to avoid scams, and rate your experience. Chat with Scamio for free ## Explain Scamio like I’m 5 [...] # Bitdefender Scamio ## The next-gen AI scam detector Ready 24/7 to help you check any scam in seconds, this free chatbot is powered by our award-winning threat detection. Send any tricky text, email, social media message, link, or even QR code you received to get an instant analysis. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1024:** Together, we can outsmart scammers. Chat with Scamio for free blue-title, migration Trusted. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1025:** Always. ## Where will you chat with Scamio the most? Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to access Scamio on all the other channels as well. style centered, py-1 | | | --- | | WhatsApp | | Have a scam checker as a new contact on WhatsApp? How cool is that! Scan the QR code or click the button below to continue to the chat. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1026:** Make sure Scamio verifies any deceptive message, job scam, or link you receive. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Scamio - Free Scam Detector](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/scamio) **Fact 1027:** promo DMarket Blog search Trade CS2 Skins Trade Dota 2 Skins Steam Log In Steam Log In Trade CS:GO skins Trade DOTA2 skins Guides Skins Reviews Hardware Product Updates News Esports fb twitter LinkedIN Telegram Guides Skins Reviews Hardware Product Updates News Esports 1. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1028:** How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks Tonhy Johns Tonhy Johns Sep 19, 2018・4 min read sell items Post thumbnail # How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks [...] 8. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1029:** Since the fake and the real trade offers look quite identical, the victim confirms it with his email or a mobile phone authentication app. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1030:** If the victim checks his trade history, he may see there are two trade offers, the real one getting rejected. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1031:** If your account is scammed, the API key is obviously in the fraudsters’ database. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1032:** So visit your user’s page on Steam, call back your current API key, and let Steam generate a new one instead. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1033:** Take up the habit of regularly changing your Steam Web API Key to ensure your account is safe and not exploited by cybercriminals. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1034:** Here you can revoke and re-generate your keys. Check sent trade offers. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1035:** Visit your Steam user page and go to this page every time you have offers to be confirmed via your mobile phone or email. - *Source:* [How to Secure Your Steam API Key from Scam Attacks](https://dmarket.com/blog/steam-api-key-scam) **Fact 1036:** This key allows them to intercept your trade offers, cancel them, and resend a copy of the same offer to a fake lookalike account. - *Source:* [Warning to all Steam users: API Key scam can cost you your ... - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1kuog7m/warning_to_all_steam_users_api_key_scam_can_cost) **Fact 1037:** Bitdefender announced the launch of Bitdefender Scamio—a free scam detection service. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Rolls Out Scamio for Advanced Scam Protection](https://technology-signals.com/bitdefender-rolls-out-scamio-for-advanced-scam-protection) **Fact 1038:** This tool helps users validate potentially fraudulent online schemes,. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Rolls Out Scamio for Advanced Scam Protection](https://technology-signals.com/bitdefender-rolls-out-scamio-for-advanced-scam-protection) **Fact 1039:** Bitdefender unveils Scamio, a complimentary AI-powered scam detector designed to help verify fraudulent online schemes. - *Source:* [Bitdefender Launches Scamio, a Powerful Scam Detection ...](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231214280748/en/Bitdefender-Launches-Scamio-a-Powerful-Scam-Detection-Service-Driven-by-Artificial-Intelligence) **Fact 1040:** The 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey is based on an independent survey and analysis of over 7,000 consumers across Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom (U.K.), and the United States (U.S.). Key findings from the 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey include: [...] Data Sources Bitdefender commissioned Censuswide, a leading international market research consultancy, to survey and analyze responses from 7,009 consumers aged 16 to 55+. - *Source:* [New Bitdefender Report Highlights Consumer Cybersecurity Behaviors, AI Concerns and Risks Globally](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitdefender-report-highlights-consumer-cybersecurity-140000585.html) **Fact 1041:** The survey and analysis were conducted between June and September 2025 across Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S. To download a complimentary copy of the full Bitdefender 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey, visit here. \Source: Exploding Topics, "How many people have been scammed (2025 statistics)," June 5, 2025. About Bitdefender [...] Scams continue to hit consumers hard – Fourteen percent of respondents (1 in 7) reported falling victim to a scam in the past year, with an additional 4% unsure. - *Source:* [New Bitdefender Report Highlights Consumer Cybersecurity Behaviors, AI Concerns and Risks Globally](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitdefender-report-highlights-consumer-cybersecurity-140000585.html) **Fact 1042:** Based on an average scam loss of $545\, that equates to over $534,000 lost among survey participants alone. - *Source:* [New Bitdefender Report Highlights Consumer Cybersecurity Behaviors, AI Concerns and Risks Globally](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitdefender-report-highlights-consumer-cybersecurity-140000585.html) **Fact 1043:** (16%) and Australia (16%), while France had the lowest at 11%. - *Source:* [New Bitdefender Report Highlights Consumer Cybersecurity Behaviors, AI Concerns and Risks Globally](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitdefender-report-highlights-consumer-cybersecurity-140000585.html) **Fact 1044:** UPDATED 09:00 EST / DECEMBER 14 2023 ### Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams by Duncan Riley Cybersecurity company S.C. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1045:** Bitdefender SRL today debuted a new scam detection service designed to help users verify fraudulent online schemes delivered by email, embedded links, text and instant messaging with assistance from an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. Called Bitdefender Scamio, the new service is a scam detection chatbot that offers a second opinion on potential fraud attempts by analyzing emails, text messages, images, individual links and QR codes. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1046:** [...] To use the service, users drop questionable content into Scamio and describe how it was received. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1047:** Scamio then provides a verdict in seconds and offers recommendations for further action — such as whether to delete or block the send — along with providing advice on preventive measures to protect against scams in the future. Scamio is seeking to address the well-known issue wherein fraud continues to increase every year. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1048:** Federal Trade Commission report released in February put the figure lost to fraud in the U.S. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1049:** as $8.8 billion, highlighting the size of the problem. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1050:** [...] Bitdefender argues that the recent adoption of large language model AIs by cybercriminals to assist in creating malicious content that is hard to spot is expected to exacerbate the challenge of combating online fraud in the years ahead. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1051:** This is where Scamio steps in, offering AI assistance to users who may otherwise be uncertain of the legitimacy of received emails and text messages. Scamio is powered by Bitdefender’s threat protection technologies to maximize scan detection rates with context decoding to provide scam verdicts based on understanding particular circumstances. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) **Fact 1052:** The company claims the solution is highly effective for complex types of fraud, such as social engineering, that may bypass regular forms of detection. - *Source:* [Bitdefender debuts Scamio, leveraging AI to identify and advise on scams - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/12/14/bitdefender-debuts-scamio-leveraging-ai-identify-advise-scams) ## DARKNAVY Exploiting Steam Usual and unusual ways in the CEF framework Safe Browsing bypass **Fact 1053:** DARKNAVY discusses exploiting Steam via the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) for Safe Browsing bypass. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1054:** The research focuses on unusual methods within the CEF framework. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1055:** The findings highlight vulnerabilities in CEF used in Steam applications. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1056:** # RESEARCH BLOG Recent technical publications and long-form security research from DARKNAVY. RSS → August 30, 2024 ## CVE-2024-5274: A Minor Flaw in V8 Parser Leading to Catastrophes In May of this year, we noticed that Chrome fixed a V8 vulnerability that was being exploited in the wild in this update. - *Source:* [Blog | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/blog/page/2) **Fact 1057:** We quickly pinpointed the fix for this vulnerability and discovered that it was a rare bug in the … August 30, 2024 · 2748 words · DARKNAVY June 27, 2024 ## Exploiting Steam: Usual and Unusual Ways in the CEF Framework Introduction The Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) is an open-source framework that allows developers to embed the Chromium engine in their applications. - *Source:* [Blog | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/blog/page/2) **Fact 1058:** Although CEF is widely employed in a range of popular software, … June 27, 2024 · 2000 words · DARKNAVY [...] January 3, 2024 · 2340 words · DARKNAVY November 3, 2023 ## Exploiting the libwebp Vulnerability, Part 2: Diving into Chrome Blink Introduction When we examine a third-party library vulnerability in a real environment, we often encounter numerous complex variables that exist within the vulnerability’s context. - *Source:* [Blog | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/blog/page/2) **Fact 1059:** Exploiting such a vulnerability is not … November 3, 2023 · 1768 words · DARKNAVY November 3, 2023 ## Exploiting the libwebp Vulnerability, Part 1: Playing with Huffman Code Vulnerability Localization In the initial phase of vulnerability analysis, due to the absence of readily available PoCs or detailed analysis reports, we first attempted to read and understand the patch code for … November 3, 2023 · 2345 words · DARKNAVY. - *Source:* [Blog | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/blog/page/2) **Fact 1060:** If you're like most PC gamers, you've probably got a few games in your Steam library, if not dozens. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1061:** But while having all your games in one place can be incredibly convenient, it also makes Steam accounts prime targets for hackers and scammers. Like with most apps, the best way to keep your Steam account safe is by using a strong password (probably one created by a password manager). - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1062:** And luckily, you can change your Steam password in a variety of ways. This works on both PC and Mac computers. 1. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1063:** Open the Steam app and then click Steam in the top-left corner of the screen. 2. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1064:** In the drop-down menu that opens, click Settings (PC) or Preferences (Mac). 3. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1065:** Make sure that Account is selected in the left sidebar, then click Change Password. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1066:** Scroll down to the Account Security section and tap Change my password. 4. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1067:** Verify your account if asked, and then enter your new password twice. 5. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1068:** Tap Change Password to save your new login info. Jump to [...] 4. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1069:** Go through the two-factor authentication process if asked, then enter your new password twice. 5. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1070:** Click Change Password, and your new password will be saved. 1. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1071:** Head to the Steam website and log into your account, if you haven't already. 2. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1072:** Click your username in the top-right corner, and then select Account details from the drop-down. 3. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1073:** Scroll down to the Account Security section, then click Change my password. 4. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1074:** Click Change Password to save your new login info. 1. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1075:** Open the Steam app and tap the three stacked lines in the top-left corner. 2. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1076:** At the bottom of this sidebar menu, tap Account Details. - *Source:* [How to Change Your Steam Password in 3 Ways](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/steam-change-password) **Fact 1077:** Excerpt from the analysis: > Newly appearing in the active connections are components such as Google Optimization, Google Safe Browsing, Google Account and Google Autofill. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1078:** > > Unique Google 1e100 (.) net domains: 77 (difficult to block!) > > Google domains; some new, others previously present: > > accounts (.) google (.) com content-autofill (.) googleapis (.) com www (.) google (.) com safebrowsing (.) googleapis (.) com optimizationguide-pa (.) googleapis (.) com redirector (.) gvt1 (.) com r4---sn-4g5ednks (.) gvt1 (.) com > > > Source, domains edited appropriately Please revert this! Weighing autofill/spellcheck and privacy, I don't see how it would benefit the average user. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1079:** [...] 此主題的作者已將一篇留言標為問題解答。 點擊此處前往該留言。 引用自 nian: > 引用自 Broseph Joseph： > > >We have just shipped an updated Steam Deck Client to the Preview/Beta channel. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1080:** > Disabled internal Chromium Embedded Framework services that utilize Google API integration. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1081:** These were enabled by a configuration change required to continue updating the Steam Chromium framework but are not necessary for usage in Steam. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1082:** > > Damn that was fast, good job valve. The update was now also released for the stable branch. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1083:** See the updated release notes (first section at the top): So now everyone should have these improvements. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1084:** :steamhappy::steamthumbsup: <;) >;) 目前顯示第 16-30 則留言，共 34 則 . #18 [...] 登入 商店 首頁 探索佇列 願望清單 點數商店 新聞 榜單 社群 首頁 討論區 工作坊 市集 實況直播 關於 客服 取得 Steam 行動應用程式 © Valve Corporation. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1085:** 版權所有。所有商標皆為個別所有權人在美國與其它國家（地區）之財產。 隱私權政策 | 法律聲明 | 輔助功能 | Steam 訂戶協議 | 退款 | Cookie STEAM Steam 首頁連結 商店 首頁 探索佇列 願望清單 點數商店 新聞 榜單 社群 首頁 討論區 工作坊 市集 實況直播 關於 客服中心 安裝 Steam 登入 | 語言. - *Source:* [Revert massive amounts of unwanted connections to Google :: Steam Client Beta](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/688615792191756981?l=tchinese&ctp=2) **Fact 1086:** If you are an investor looking for early-stage gems, launchpads like Solanium represent an incredibly efficient way to cut through the thicket of duds to find genuinely promising projects. - *Source:* [4 Unusual Ways to Make Money With Blockchain](https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/4-unusual-ways-to-make-money-with-blockchain) **Fact 1087:** So far, every launch on Solanium has performed incredibly well (e.g. - *Source:* [4 Unusual Ways to Make Money With Blockchain](https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/4-unusual-ways-to-make-money-with-blockchain) **Fact 1088:** Port Finance and Cyclos), making the overall risk of a net negative return exceedingly low.(This is not financial advice.) ## Sell Your Data When using or browsing the internet, one thing is almost certain — your data is being harvested. - *Source:* [4 Unusual Ways to Make Money With Blockchain](https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/4-unusual-ways-to-make-money-with-blockchain) **Fact 1089:** [...] Whether it’s your browsing habits, your shopping history, your favorite videos or something else, websites are set up to collect, sort and sell your data wherever possible. - *Source:* [4 Unusual Ways to Make Money With Blockchain](https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/4-unusual-ways-to-make-money-with-blockchain) **Fact 1090:** This is one of the primary revenue streams for many websites, despite the fact that this practice rarely provides any value for the end-user. Thanks to the advent of blockchain technology and a clever hardware solution, a new platform known as Cirus is flopping this model on its head — allowing you to selectively monetize the data you generate while using the internet. - *Source:* [4 Unusual Ways to Make Money With Blockchain](https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/4-unusual-ways-to-make-money-with-blockchain) **Fact 1091:** [...] 8 people liked this article Image 6Image 7: Daniel Phillips ### Daniel Phillips Cryptocurrencies are all I talk about. - *Source:* [4 Unusual Ways to Make Money With Blockchain](https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/4-unusual-ways-to-make-money-with-blockchain) **Fact 1092:** # The Most "Golden" Bypass of 2024 February 9, 2025 · 770 words · DARKNAVY Since the early 2000s, attacks based on browser vulnerabilities have remained a mainstream, effective, and versatile attack method. - *Source:* [The Most "Golden" Bypass of 2024 | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/darknavy_insight/the_most_golden_bypass_of_2024) **Fact 1093:** The following is the second article from the “DARKNAVY INSIGHT | 2024 Annual Security Report”. According to the latest report from market research firm Statcounter, Chrome has unquestionably secured its position as the most dominant browser in terms of market share. Chrome is renowned for its exceptional security, with the Google security team continuously researching and implementing cutting-edge vulnerability mitigation mechanisms. - *Source:* [The Most "Golden" Bypass of 2024 | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/darknavy_insight/the_most_golden_bypass_of_2024) **Fact 1094:** One of the most well-known among them is MiraclePtr, designed to prevent attackers from exploiting Use-After-Free (UAF) vulnerabilities in the browser. - *Source:* [The Most "Golden" Bypass of 2024 | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/darknavy_insight/the_most_golden_bypass_of_2024) **Fact 1095:** [...] Conditions required for a successful attack: Precisely overflowing a 29-bit refcount field. Ensuring that the object release code and attack execution code run on separate threads, both under some level of attacker control. Gaining control over the target object’s refcount freely. Winning the race condition within a very short time window. Given these strict conditions, this bypass technique was almost theoretical, yet the Chrome team still generously rewarded the discovery. In November 2024, DARKNAVY also discovered an implementation flaw in MiraclePtr, reported it to the Chrome team, and received confirmation. - *Source:* [The Most "Golden" Bypass of 2024 | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/darknavy_insight/the_most_golden_bypass_of_2024) **Fact 1096:** [...] Removing dependence on the C library libpng and replacing it with Rust-based PNG and JSON decoding. Moving the graphics rendering module (ANGLE) into the renderer process for stronger sandbox protection. All of these efforts indicate that future Chrome versions will be even harder to exploit using memory corruption vulnerabilities. DARKNAVY INSIGHT From the deployment of MiraclePtr, to the appearance of bypass techniques, and finally to its continuous improvements, Chrome has demonstrated not only technical advancements but also a philosophy of security: Encouraging vulnerability discovery through bounty programs. Strengthening the overall system rather than focusing on individual vulnerabilities through iterative technology improvements. - *Source:* [The Most "Golden" Bypass of 2024 | DARKNAVY Blog](https://www.darknavy.org/darknavy_insight/the_most_golden_bypass_of_2024) **Fact 1097:** I am trying to use CEF for an internal project and questions around CEF and security have come up. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1098:** I didn't see anything specific in the WIKI on security. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1099:** I was wondering if there are any existing documents that would be helpful. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1100:** It seems that CEF is a rather lightweight wrapper around Chromium itself so using CEF would be as secure as using Chromium assuming the app that utilizes CEF is not introducing any security issues of its own. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1101:** In other words, browsing to a malicious site in a CEF based app is no more or less secure than browsing to that same site in the equivalent Chromium release itself. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1102:** The only way I could see it being less secure is if CEF bypasses the security inherit to the browser process and lets malicious markup/code straight into the render process. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1103:** This will avoid a large category of security issues caused by buggy versions of Flash, Java, etc. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1104:** - Do not explicitly disable or bypass security features in your application. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1105:** For example, do not enable CefBrowserSettings that bypass security features or add fake headers to bypass HTTP access control. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1106:** - Keep your application up to date with the newest CEF release branch. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1107:** You may want to update the underlying Chromium release version and perform your own builds to take immediate advantage of any bug fixes. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1108:** Every organization should have best practices for design, testing and verification. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1109:** [...] magreenblatt : Site Admin : Posts: 13242 : Joined: Fri May 29, 2009 6:57 pm Top ### Re: Question on browser security Postby Mayhew » Mon Nov 12, 2012 2:19 pm Thanks for the info. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1110:** I will look into what it would take to do that within our application code itself. Mayhew : Expert : Posts: 303 : Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:02 pm Top --- Post a reply 5 posts • Page 1 of 1 Return to CEF Discussion ### Who is online Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 56 guests Board index The team • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC - 5 hours Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group. - *Source:* [CEF Forum • Question on browser security](https://magpcss.org/ceforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10222) **Fact 1111:** Due to these challenges, more CVC funds have been partnering with VC firms on the ground in Latin America because the setup of a strong investment team requires a lot of skill and time that large corporations would prefer to bypass. - *Source:* [How To Bypass The Usual Operational Pitfalls Of Corporate Venture Capital](https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/how-to-bypass-the-usual-operational-pitfalls-of-corporate-venture-capital) **Fact 1112:** Without the local know-how and relationships, CVCs without local presences often struggle to get the best deals. - *Source:* [How To Bypass The Usual Operational Pitfalls Of Corporate Venture Capital](https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/how-to-bypass-the-usual-operational-pitfalls-of-corporate-venture-capital) **Fact 1113:** [...] Crunchbase News Crunchbase News Unicorn Board Tech Layoffs Tracker Billion-Dollar Exits Largest Funding Deals Tracker Web3 Tracker Venture funding reports + Q1 2023 - Q1 2023 Global - Q1 2023 North America - Q1 2023 Europe - Q1 2023 Latin America - Q1 2023 Asia + 2022 - 2022 Global - 2022 North America - 2022 Europe - 2022 Latin America - 2022 Asia Regional • Venture # How To Bypass The Usual Operational Pitfalls Of Corporate Venture Capital Guest Author February 16, 2021 Guest Author 16 Shares Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn By Carol Strobel [...] However, despite the many benefits larger companies can gain through more nimble, ingenious approaches and methodologies that are synonymous with startups, corporate venture funds often suffer some common challenges that stymie innovation’s progress. ## The pitfalls The usual pitfalls include a lack of flexibility or unwillingness to consider doing things differently, too much due diligence and bureaucratic processes that simply take far too long, in addition to deal negotiations that are too difficult because they are not always focused on long-term relationships like VCs. - *Source:* [How To Bypass The Usual Operational Pitfalls Of Corporate Venture Capital](https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/how-to-bypass-the-usual-operational-pitfalls-of-corporate-venture-capital) **Fact 1114:** Chromium Embedded Framework is an open-source software framework for embedding a Chromium web. - *Source:* [Games using CEF SDK on Steam](https://steamdb.info/tech/SDK/CEF) **Fact 1115:** ## Message Loop Integration CEF can also integrate with an existing application message loop instead of running its own message loop. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1116:** [...] Usage of CEF strings in C++ is simplified by the CefString class. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1117:** CefString provides automatic conversion to and from std::string (UTF8) and std::wstring (wide) types. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1118:** It can also be used to wrap an existing cef\_string\_t structure for assignment purposes. Assignment to and from std::string: ``` std:: string str = "Some UTF8 string";// Equivalent ways of assigning |str| to |cef_str|. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1119:** FromString(str);// Equivalent ways of assigning |cef_str| to |str|. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1120:** ToString(); ``` Assignment to and from std::wstring: [...] Assignment to and from std::wstring: ``` std:: wstring str = "Some wide string";// Equivalent ways of assigning |str| to |cef_str|. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1121:** FromWString(str);// Equivalent ways of assigning |cef_str| to |str|. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1122:** ToWString(); ``` Use the FromASCII() method if you know that the format is ASCII: ``` const char cstr = "Some ASCII string"; CefString cef_str; cef_str. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1123:** FromASCII(cstr); ``` Some structures like CefSettings have cef\_string\_t members. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) **Fact 1124:** CefString can be used to simplify the assignment to those members:. - *Source:* [CEF Documentation | Chromium Embedded Framework ...](https://chromiumembedded.github.io/cef/general_usage.html) ## mr.d0x Browser-in-the-Browser phishing PoC Steam login mockup **Fact 1125:** Browser-in-the-Browser phishing uses fake pop-up windows to mimic legitimate login pages. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1126:** It tricks users into entering credentials on a malicious site. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1127:** This technique can spoof any domain, including Steam. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1128:** The above image from mr.d0x's POC shows Gmail's login form. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack - Hacking Loops](https://www.hackingloops.com/browser-in-the-browser-bitb-attack) **Fact 1129:** XX-TITLE-XX - The title that shows up for the page (e.g. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1130:** Sign in to your account now) XX-DOMAIN-NAME-XX - Domain name you're masquerading as. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1131:** /auth/google/login) XX-PHISHING-LINK-XX - Phishing link which will be embedded into the iFrame (e.g. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1132:** ) Furthermore, if you're using a Windows template you should update the `logo.svg` which is the icon of the website you're masquerading as. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1133:** The default logo is Microsoft. # Windows-DarkMode-Delay The Windows-DarkMode-Delay folder makes use of jQuery's fadeIn() function to add a slight delay to the pop-up window as it appears. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1134:** This is only one way of making the Window appear in a delayed fashion, there's various other ways to do the same. # Demo # Detecting Color Preference [...] All credits go to @odacavo. # Disclaimer Usage of these templates for attacking targets without prior consent is illegal. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1135:** It's the end user's responsibility to obey all applicable laws. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1136:** The developer is not responsible for any misuse of these templates. ## About Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates ### Resources ### Stars 2.9k stars ### Watchers 54 watching ### Forks 478 forks Report repository You can’t perform that action at this time. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1137:** [...] Skip to content ## Navigation Menu Sign in Appearance settings Sign in Sign up Appearance settings You signed in with another tab or window. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1138:** Dismiss alert {{ message }} mrd0x / BITB Public Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings Fork 478 Star 2.9k BranchesTags Open more actions menu ## Latest commit ## History 14 Commits 14 Commits ## Folders and files. - *Source:* [GitHub - mrd0x/BITB: Browser In The Browser (BITB) Templates · GitHub](https://github.com/mrd0x/BITB) **Fact 1139:** Demo # Pop-Up Login Windows Quite often when we authenticate to a website via Google, Microsoft, Apple etc. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1140:** we’re provided a pop-up window that asks us to authenticate. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1141:** The image below shows the window that appears when someone attempts to login to Canva using their Google account. Canva-Login ## Replicating The Window Fortunately for us, replicating the entire window design using basic HTML/CSS is quite simple. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1142:** Combine the window design with an iframe pointing to the malicious server hosting the phishing page, and its basically indistinguishable. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1143:** The image below shows the fake window compared with the real window. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1144:** Very few people would notice the slight differences between the two. Real-Fake [...] ``` Google function launchWindow(){ // Launch the fake authentication window return false; // This will make sure the href attribute is ignored } ``` # Available Templates I’ve created templates for the following OS and browser: Windows - Chrome (Light & Dark Mode) Mac OSX - Chrome (Light & Dark Mode) The templates are available on my Github here. # Conclusion With this technique we are now able to up our phishing game. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1145:** The target user would still need to land on your website for the pop-up window to be displayed. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1146:** But once landed on the attacker-owned website, the user will be at ease as they type their credentials away on what appears to be the legitimate website (because the trustworthy URL says so). - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1147:** [...] # mr.d0x C:\Users\mr.d0x>whoami\_ @mrd0xMalDev AcademyLOTS ProjectMalAPI.ioFilesec.io # Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack March 15, 2022 This article explores a phishing technique that simulates a browser window within the browser to spoof a legitimate domain. # Introduction For security professionals, the URL is usually the most trusted aspect of a domain. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1148:** Yes there’s attacks like IDN Homograph and DNS Hijacking that may degrade the reliability of URLs but not to an extent that makes URLs unreliable. All of this eventually lead me to think, is it possible to make the “Check the URL” advice less reliable? After a week of brainstorming I decided that the answer is yes. Demo # Pop-Up Login Windows. - *Source:* [Browser In The Browser (BITB) Attack | mr.d0x](https://mrd0x.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-attack) **Fact 1149:** According to security researchers at GroupIB, the new technique – dubbed “Browser-in-the-Browser” – pops up looking like a new window used for authentication; only it’s actually part of the initial malicious site. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1150:** In the example below, users of the gaming platform Steam are messaged with appealing Steam-related offers (such as participating in a tournament) that would likely require authenticating to Steam. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1151:** Once on the page with the supposed offer, a new window appears to pop-up asking the user to authenticate. Source: GroupIB [...] Source: GroupIB Look at the details in the screenshot – what looks like a valid URL is place in the “window” along with a green lock, indicating a proper SSL cert. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1152:** If you didn’t know better (and now you do), you’d think it was legitimate. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1153:** What’s actually happening is there is no new window; it’s just a very impressively-designed in-site page that collects credentials and even additional “windows” for two-factor authentication needs. What makes this attack so very dangerous is its’ potential. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1154:** Think about anytime you use third-party authentication (such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft 365, or any cloud-based directory service) – this same technique could be used to trick users into providing business credentials. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1155:** [...] ## Secure the Digital Workforce: Human + AI KnowBe4 empowers the modern workforce to make smarter security decisions every day. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1156:** Trusted by more than 70,000 organizations worldwide, KnowBe4 is the pioneer of digital workforce security, securing both AI agents and humans. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1157:** The KnowBe4 Platform provides attack simulation and training, email and collaboration security, and agent security powered by AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Defense Agents) and a proprietary Risk Score. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1158:** The platform leverages 15 years of behavioral data to combat advanced threats including social engineering, prompt injection, and shadow AI. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1159:** By securing humans and agents, KnowBe4 leads the industry in workforce trust and defense. Stu Sjouwerman. - *Source:* [“Browser-in-the-Browser” Phishing Technique Spotted in New Steam Account Attack](https://blog.knowbe4.com/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-steam-account-attack) **Fact 1160:** Security researcher mr.d0x identifies a Browser-in-the-Browser (BITB) attack, simulating authentication windows to execute phishing attacks. - *Source:* [mr.d0x Identifies New Browser-in-the-Browser (BITB) Attack - Anvilogic](https://www.anvilogic.com/threat-reports/browser-in-browser-bitb) **Fact 1161:** We know from earlier that the real steam login page is steamcommunity.com, we can check the URL, and It looks correct! So is this safe? No, this is just a very clever phishing page. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1162:** It’s very obvious here, because this is a typical windows window, and I’m on a mac. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1163:** But this could be really confusing to a lot of users. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1164:** You really have to understand and know, that this is your real browser window, this is the real URL bar. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1165:** You can test it when you try to move the window around. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1166:** For example it cannot be moved over the actual browser window. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1167:** So this is the actual URL of the site, which is obviously not [...] where you have to look, and which part of the URL is important. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1168:** Thanks to the browser highlighting parts of the URL, you know what the domain is. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1169:** So how do you now use this knowledge to prevent phishing. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1170:** Before you type in your password, practice to always look at the domain. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1171:** It doesn’t matter how you got there, maybe you clicked on a link a friend sent you, maybe you clicked on a link on reddir, or you clicked on a link in a phishing spam email. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1172:** But before you enter your credentials, you need to look at the domain. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1173:** And now you need to ask yourself, is this the correct domain? Let’s do an example. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1174:** EVEN for computers it’s hard and we expect at least them to understand it. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1175:** If you are curious I made a video once about “HOW FRCKN' HARD IS IT TO UNDERSTAND A URL?”, but it’s a very technical video. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1176:** But luckily as a user we don’t have to go this deep into it. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1177:** Even though this URL is extremely long, the browser helps us to identify the part that actually matters to us. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1178:** You see that the browser is highlighting the important part with a lighter color, and shows the less important part in grey. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1179:** As you can tell, this is the login page from Google and I’m using the Google Chrome browser on macOs. - *Source:* [Crazy Steam Phishing Page](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWtm4X6L_Cs) **Fact 1180:** phishing # Browser-in-the-browser attacks: from theory to reality A browser-in-the-browser attack, theoretically described in 2022, has been adopted in real-world phishing. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1181:** We break down how it works, and how to spot a fake authentication window. attack? For starters, let’s refresh our memories on what mr.d0x actually cooked up. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1182:** The core of the attack stems from his observation of just how advanced modern web development tools — HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the like — have become. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1183:** It’s this realization that inspired the researcher to come up with a particularly elaborate phishing model. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1184:** [...] ## Facebook credential theft Attackers have put their own spin on mr.d0x’s original concept: recent browser-in-the-browser hits have been kicking off with emails designed to alarm recipients. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1185:** For instance, one phishing campaign posed as a law firm informing the user they’d committed a copyright violation by posting something on Facebook. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1186:** The message included a credible-looking link allegedly to the offending post. Phishing email masquerading as a legal notice Attackers sent messages on behalf of a fake law firm alleging copyright infringement — complete with a link supposedly to the problematic Facebook post. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1187:** Source [...] Interestingly, to lower the victim’s guard, clicking the link didn’t immediately open a fake Facebook login page. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1188:** Instead, they were first greeted by a bogus Meta CAPTCHA. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1189:** Only after passing it was the victim presented with the fake authentication pop-up. Fake login window rendered directly inside the webpage This isn’t a real browser pop-up; it’s a website element mimicking a Facebook login page — a ruse that allows attackers to display a perfectly convincing address. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1190:** Source Naturally, the fake Facebook login page followed mr.d0x’s blueprint: it was built entirely with web design tools to harvest the victim’s credentials. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1191:** Meanwhile, the URL displayed in the forged address bar pointed to the real Facebook site — www.facebook.com. ## How to avoid becoming a victim. - *Source:* [What a browser-in-the-browser attack is, and how to spot a fake login window | Kaspersky official blog](https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-phishing-facebook/55374) **Fact 1192:** The threat actor promoted its scam domain, caserevs[.]com, on YouTube ## Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks Various threat actors have launched browser-in-the-browser attacks sporadically over the last few years. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1193:** However, it’s still interesting to see when these BitB attacks are found, as they indicate a threat actor who carefully studies complex phishing methods. Potential victims who experience these phishing attacks in the wild receive a much more convincing lure than a suspicious login form on a random domain, potentially making them more effective. These types of attacks were heavily studied a few years ago, with researchers like mrd0x largely initiating the discussion with their open-source example and larger write-up. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1194:** [...] ## Promoting the Phishing Site Containing a BitB Attack As referenced previously, our threat team was particularly interested in this phishing effort (watch the video below to larne more) because the threat actor is using a “Browser in the Browser” orchestrated attack. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1195:** In the attack, the URL of the real site (in this case, Steam) is prominently displayed, leading someone to believe it’s a real pop-up window for logging in. That window looks like this: The threat actor behind this is also trying to spread their phishing scheme on YouTube. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1196:** Posts like the one highlighted below from January 2025 got over 600 likes on YouTube (a potentially purchased level of engagement) – in promoting their scam domain: caserevs[.]com. Image of the threat actor promoting its scam domain on YouTube [...] Sign Up Here ## Background Browser-in-the-browser attacks are simple but clever phishing techniques. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1197:** Threat actors emulate trusted services with fake pop-up windows that resemble the actual login pages. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1198:** While many theoretical attacks describe browser-in-the-browser tactics, it’s rare to actually catch a threat actor deploying this process. - *Source:* [New Phishing Campaign Uses Browser-in-the-Browser Attacks to Target Video Gamers/Counter-Strike 2 Players - Silent Push](https://www.silentpush.com/blog/browser-in-the-browser-attacks) **Fact 1199:** I published a blog article detailing a phishing technique I called Browser in the Browser (BITB) Attack. - *Source:* [mr.d0x on X: "I published a blog article detailing a phishing ...](https://x.com/mrd0x/status/1503801717414105089) **Fact 1200:** [0:41] It might be the layout that’s all wrong, or the e-mail from your “bank” riddled with spelling errors. [0:48] Check out the link below for more about the tell-tale signs. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1201:** Above all, you can detect a fake by the domain name. [0:55] If the URL reads kapsersky.com instead of kaspersky.com, the verdict is obvious. [1:02] A correct domain name is the most reliable sign that a page is real. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1202:** So, all you need do is look at the URL, right? [1:10] Alas, no: for cybercriminal techniques are always evolving… [1:15] Security researcher mr.d0x has discovered a fresh scam and kindly shared it with the world. [1:21] Basically, a correct web address can be simply drawn on a page! [1:26] Websites are created using layout tools and scripting languages, predominantly HTML, CSS and JavaScript. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1203:** [...] [1:34] These core technologies have become so flexible and powerful that they can be used to build any interface… and even draw a fake window on a page. [1:44] Specifically, the scheme works as follows. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1204:** The scammer creates an original site with interesting content. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1205:** For example, a list of job offers for young mothers. [1:52] But before you can respond to a vacancy, you first have to create an account. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1206:** That is, hand over your phone number or e-mail address to someone, then come up with a password... [2:02] This is time-consuming, so the scammer is kind enough to provide a third-party login option through Facebook, Google, Apple or other services. [2:11] You’ve surely come across this login method. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1207:** All looks kinda authentic, right?! Thankfully there is a way to rather easily spot the ruse. [3:11] Time to make a mental note!.. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1208:** Authentication windows are just browser windows. [3:17] In other words, they can be maximized, minimized and moved around the screen independently of other windows. [3:25] Fake elements are part of the page they’re on. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1209:** You can move them around inside the parent window, but not beyond its border. [3:32] And it’s this that helps unmask them. [3:35] Sure, not everyone has the time or patience to check every single page element when logging in. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) **Fact 1210:** No matter what the phishers draw on the site, security software always sees the real URL. - *Source:* [A new phishing technique: browser-in-the-browser attack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo-XR86eC0) ## Steam Web API key scam site:news.ycombinator.com architectural flaw persistence **Fact 1211:** Steam's API key system has flaws allowing unauthorized account access. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1212:** Scams exploit these weaknesses for persistent unauthorized control. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1213:** Valve's response to such vulnerabilities has been criticized. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1214:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration (ankursethi.com) | | | | 845 points by speckx 8 months ago | hide | past | favorite | 349 comments | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Ozzie\_osman 8 months ago | next ) I was recently (vibe)-coding some games with my kid, and we wanted some basic text-to-speech functionality. - *Source:* [Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46223311) **Fact 1215:** You can access those models via three APIs: the Gemini API (which it turns out is only for prototyping and returned errors 30% of the time), the Vertex API (much more stable but lacking in some functionality), and the TTS API (which performed very poorly despite offering the same models). - *Source:* [Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46223311) **Fact 1216:** To learn this, you have to spend a couple hours reading API docs, or alternatively, just have Claude Code read the docs then try all different combinations and figure out what works and what doesn't (with the added risk that it might hallucinate something). - *Source:* [Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46223311) **Fact 1217:** Steam accounts) can automatically create permanent access to accounts by generating API keys to control those phished accounts. - *Source:* [Steam's login method is kinda interesting - Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25730145) **Fact 1218:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day (amonitoring.ru) | | | | 407 points by codedokode on Aug 7, 2019 | hide | past | favorite | 186 comments | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | marcinzm on Aug 7, 2019 | next ) >Moreover, they didn't want me to disclose the vulnerability. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 1219:** At the same time, there was not even a single word from Valve. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 1220:** Either something is an issue and should be paid for, or it's not an issue and disclosure is fine. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 1221:** | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | marcinzm on Aug 8, 2019 | root | parent | next ) >If I hire a normal security consultant, and she finds an issue in my product that I don't agree is a real vulnerability, it's absolutely not fine for her to go write a public article about it. - *Source:* [Steam Windows Client Local Privilege Escalation 0day](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20632771) **Fact 1222:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | AI web crawlers are destroying websites in their never-ending content hunger (theregister.com) | | | | 213 points by CrankyBear on Sept 2, 2025 | hide | past | favorite | 143 comments | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | thaumaturgy on Sept 2, 2025 | next ) People outside of a really small sysadmin niche really don't grasp the scale of this problem. - *Source:* [AI web crawlers are destroying websites in their never-ending ...](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45105230) **Fact 1223:** I can't police their robots.txt files; meanwhile, each page load can take a full 1s round trip (most of that spent in MySQL), there are about 6 different pretty aggressive AI bots, and occasionally they'll get stuck on some site's product variants or categories pages and start hitting it at a 1r/s rate. - *Source:* [AI web crawlers are destroying websites in their never-ending ...](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45105230) **Fact 1224:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Tepix 17 days ago | parent | context | favorite | on: Discovery of a new OpenAI agent message board I just discovered more wiki instances that got used by the OpenAI agents over at https://www.wikiservice.at/fractal/wiki.cgi? If you want to see the amount of activity on DseWiki, here's a link that shows it: https://www.wikiservice.at/dse/wiki.cgi? | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | adriand 16 days ago | next ) It seems apparent that OpenAI is now the biggest cyberattack and AI breakout risk on the planet. - *Source:* [I just discovered more wiki instances that got used by the OpenAI ...](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49563657) **Fact 1225:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Event Sourcing is Hard (chriskiehl.com) | | | | 485 points by goostavos on Feb 3, 2019 | hide | past | favorite | 157 comments | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | spricket on Feb 4, 2019 | next ) I agree with the author completely. - *Source:* [Event Sourcing is Hard | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19072850) **Fact 1226:** I worked on a fairly large system using event sourcing, it was a never-ending nightmare. - *Source:* [Event Sourcing is Hard | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19072850) **Fact 1227:** Re-runs need to happen pretty often as you change how events are handled. - *Source:* [Event Sourcing is Hard | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19072850) **Fact 1228:** | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | kilburn on Feb 4, 2019 | root | parent | next ) > LMAX's in-memory structures are persistent across input events, so if there is an error it's important to not leave that memory in an inconsistent state. - *Source:* [Event Sourcing is Hard | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19072850) **Fact 1229:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Computation as a universal and fundamental concept (ergo.org) | | | | 177 points by simonpure 68 days ago | hide | past | favorite | 176 comments | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Diogenesian 68 days ago | next ) There are a lot of long comments basically saying what I am about to say so I will try to keep this brief: Computation is a *metaphysically* universal and fundamental concept, since metaphysics is (tautologically) the domain of humans and we use symbolic communication. - *Source:* [Computation as a universal and fundamental concept | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48861213) **Fact 1230:** | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Diogenesian 68 days ago | root | parent | next ) Information and computation are not the same thing. - *Source:* [Computation as a universal and fundamental concept | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48861213) **Fact 1231:** The result: there is now effectively one dominating web browser run by an ad company who nigh unto controls the spec for the web itself and who is finally putting its foot down to decide that we are all going to be forced to either used fully-locked down devices or to prove that we are using some locked-down component of our otherwise unlocked device to see anyone's content, and they get to frame it as fighting for the user in the spec draft as users have a "need" to prove their authenticity to websites to get their free stuff. - *Source:* [Web Environment Integrity API Proposal | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36817305) **Fact 1232:** Even if keys are user-controlled today, the key question is architectural: Can this system resist those pressures long-term, or does it merely promise to?. - *Source:* [This seems like the kind of technology that could make the problem ...](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46785050) **Fact 1233:** | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Face it: you're a crazy person (experimental-history.com) | | | | 760 points by surprisetalk on July 31, 2025 | hide | past | favorite | 371 comments | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | ossner on July 31, 2025 | next ) My father wanted to open a butcher shop when he was 25, he was given a large loan by my grandfather to do so. - *Source:* [Face it: you're a crazy person | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44710651) **Fact 1234:** He was already a master of his trade at this point and I am sure he had a deep insight into the industry and the practices of the time. - *Source:* [Face it: you're a crazy person | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44710651) **Fact 1235:** However, I think that if my granddad had used the "Coffee Beans Procedure", there would have been a lot of questions that he would not have been able to answer. - *Source:* [Face it: you're a crazy person | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44710651) ## Peruvian cartel money laundering through CS:GO skins and Steam market academic research **Fact 1236:** Peruvian cartels have laundered money through CS:GO skins on Steam, but Valve has since restricted key trading to combat fraud. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1237:** This method exploited loot boxes for real cash. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1238:** Valve's update aims to stop this illegal activity. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1239:** New research has found suspicious trading activity on Steam Marketplace that could suggest it is being used for money laundering. - *Source:* [Research identifies suspicious behaviour on Steam ...](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/research-identifies-suspicious-behaviour-on-steam-marketplace-that-may-suggest-money-laundering) **Fact 1240:** This work identifies the ways that money laundering through video game sec­ ondary marketplaces can offer benefits to criminals looking to launder money, versus the use of traditional money laundering methods. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1241:** We explore the potential for using publicly accessible data, such as that available from the Steam Marketplace, to identify suspicious transactions that may indicate the existence of money laundering within these platforms. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1242:** This research focused on identifying irregularities in the frequency and quantity of trades on the Steam Marketplace. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1243:** The results of this investigation show that identifying, using very simple money laundering detection methods, possible cases of money laundering within transactional data from the Steam Marketplace is [...] within transactional data from the Steam Marketplace is possible. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1244:** The data used shows that there were several suspicious transactions and accounts which could warrant further investi­ gation, and may be involved in activity which represents money laundering. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1245:** As a result of this, there is scope for further investigations using larger data sets and examination of other publicly accessible data using a greater range of methods to identify suspicious transactions including, but not limited to, value of transactions and location. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1246:** Introduction The potential for video games and, in particular, secondary markets where in-game goods can be traded for real-world currency, has been speculated about as a potential mechanism for money laundering for several years. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1247:** Prior studies, however, seem to [...] period of time) - Frequent Sellers (i.e. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1248:** same seller ID appears in multiple trades over a short period of time) - Frequent Buyers (i.e. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1249:** same buyer ID appears in multiple trades over a short period of time) - Duplicated trades (Trades which had the same, buyer, seller, item and value) 4. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1250:** Results and discussion The use of frequency measurement to detect potential irregularity in trades on the marketplace can help to highlight any user or item which may require further investigation in order to ascertain whether activities constitute money laundering. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1251:** The occurrence of frequently traded items was examined as a point of comparison in order to highlight any clear outlier in items that may be traded a excessive quantity compared to other items [Fig. - *Source:* [Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://poodle-banjo-jhsp.squarespace.com/s/Money-laundering.pdf) **Fact 1252:** [10:26] private exchange of goods after purchasing i mean there was some really shady stuff going on here not done another example fast race game [10:33] this one was also banned on steam and documented by mmo fallout at the time i'll link their outlet down below in the description they do excellent work check them out [10:41] the game is a racing demo if you can even call it that with absolutely no content whatsoever and its price [10:47] was 700 the game was also fraudulently listing an extremely expensive skin from cs go as its own market item [10:54] and once again the explanation seems fairly straightforward on that how about a few more just to really drive home the point like lab [...] [12:59] like world of warcraft very often to launder their funds as well as fortnite through epic games and many more with a verified instance in which they overran [13:08] the economy of a steam game cs go one of the largest steam games to such an extreme degree all peer-to-peer trading of their chosen [13:15] product had to be disabled during the pursuit and capture of el chapo one of the most prominent criminals and cartel leaders in human history law enforcement agencies were [13:23] forced to track down money transfers and deconstruct the framework by which funds were carried across borders cartels use a myriad of different techniques some as simple as physically [...] # The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money ## Channel: Upper Echelon (verified) 799K subscribers 7.5K likes ### Description 97,932 views Posted: 2021-07-13 Thank you to Keeps for sponsoring this video. - *Source:* [The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmBT_Avf48) **Fact 1253:** Go to to get 50% off your first order of Keeps hair loss treatment. Steam is best known as a worldwide gaming storefront.. - *Source:* [The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmBT_Avf48) **Fact 1254:** but in the shady recesses of its enormous platform.. - *Source:* [The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmBT_Avf48) **Fact 1255:** there are criminal activities flying beneath the radar. - *Source:* [The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmBT_Avf48) **Fact 1256:** I must say that Valve does an excellent job monitoring for, and purging these games when they crop up... - *Source:* [The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmBT_Avf48) **Fact 1257:** but the topic was extremely fun to research, and opened my eyes to a shadow economy of games and gaming items being used to launder incredibly large sums of money. ODYSEE INVITE: MMO FALLOUT: LOCALS:. - *Source:* [The Dark Side of Steam - Laundering Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmBT_Avf48) **Fact 1258:** # Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game Valve Steam marketplace listing Criminals have been laundering money via the popular Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) video game, says creator Valve. In a statement, it said the game had been targeted by global cyber-criminals looking to "liquidate their gains". The thieves exploited the game's loot-gathering systems, which allow players to trade keys and unlock rewards for real cash. Valve said it had updated the game so keys could no longer be traded online. ## Fraud-sourced Video game CS:GO pits two teams against each other on a small map. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1259:** Their task is to try to eliminate each other and carry out other objectives such as protecting hostages or planting a bomb. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1260:** [...] Figures from Valve suggest the game had more than 18 million unique players last month. While playing CS:GO, gamers could earn loot boxes containing cosmetic upgrades for their avatars or weapons. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1261:** The only way to open the loot containers was to buy a key from Valve. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1262:** Both boxes and keys could be traded for real cash on the Steam marketplace. Valve said until recently keys were generally traded between real players. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1263:** But now this had changed as fraudsters had targeted the game. "At this point, nearly all key purchases that end up being traded or sold on the marketplace are believed to be fraud-sourced," it said. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1264:** [...] It is not clear how much money was being laundered via the Steam marketplace but hundreds of thousands of boxes and keys have been traded via the online shop. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1265:** Most keys and boxes sell for a few dollars each. Players will still be able to buy keys to open containers they get via gameplay, said Valve. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1266:** Following the latest update to the game, keys will be bound to a player's account so they cannot be transferred. It admitted that the change would hit some legitimate players but said its desire to combat fraud came first. Valve Screenshot from Team Fortress 2. - *Source:* [Valve shuts down money laundering via CS:GO game](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50262447) **Fact 1267:** This work identifies the ways that money laundering through video game secondary marketplaces can offer benefits to criminals looking to launder. - *Source:* [(PDF) Money laundering through video games, a criminals' ...](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382242267_Money_laundering_through_video_games_a_criminals'_playground) **Fact 1268:** This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1269:** The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1270:** No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. \Correspondence: Federico Guede-Fernández, federico.guede@vohcolab.org Disclaimer [...] ### Funding The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1271:** This work was financially supported by Project Blockchain.PT -Decentralize Portugal with Blockchain Agenda, (Project No 51), WP4: Sports, Leisure, and Culture, Call No 02/C05-i01.01/2022, funded by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Program (PPR), The Portuguese Republic and The European Union (EU) under the framework of Next Generation EU Program. ### Acknowledgments The authors appreciate comments from the Value for Health CoLAB and Exeedme teams. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1272:** All images are© Valve Corporation, retrieved from the public Steam Community Market for non-commercial, academic illustration purposes only. ### Conflict of interest LH and GC were employed by Exeedme. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1273:** [...] Figure 1 Three firearms are displayed against a white background. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1274:** From left to right: a pistol with a beige and black design resembling currency, an assault rifle with a black and red color scheme, and a pistol with a bright turquoise and pink artistic pattern. Representative examples of CS2 skins across rarity levels, arranged from common to ultra-rare. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1275:** From left to right: (1) Glock-18 — Franklin (Well-Worn) (Industrial Grade), (2) AK-47 — Redline (Field-Tested) (Mil-Spec), and (3) StatTrakTM USP-S — Monster Mashup (Well-Worn) (Restricted). - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1276:** All images are© Valve Corporation, retrieved from the public Steam Community Market for non-commercial, academic illustration purposes only. - *Source:* [Frontiers | Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin market](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1702924/full) **Fact 1277:** Throughout the game’s lifespan, regulations have been implemented by Valve to stop various criminal activity occurring on the Steam Market [38, 39, 53]; any of these provide a very interesting natural experiment on the impacts of regulations on digital collectible markets. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1278:** As such, this thesis seeks to accomplish two goals: it seeks to classify CS skins as either a digital commodity or utility-based collectible asset, and it seeks to study the impact of a specific regulation on the prices of skins. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1279:** The first goal draws inspiration from previous literature which claims that CS skins are a digital commodity like cryptocurrencies and that a skin’s hedonic characteristics (i.e. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1280:** the weapon it is for or the 2 subjective appearance of the skin) is not correlated with the skin’s price. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1281:** The [...] avenue of research concerning the interaction between the Steam Market and third-party markets is studying whether the law of one price holds, i.e. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1282:** whether prices for the same skin on the Steam Market and third-party markets are significantly different. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1283:** A few studies in collectibles markets seem to favor the conclusion 37 that the law of one price does hold. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1284:** However, based on the findings and hypotheses this thesis proposes, it seems that the law of one price may not hold between the Steam Market and third-party markets, but should hold between third-party markets. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1285:** Overall, the field of digital collectibles is novel and the nuances of the CS skin market require more analysis to understand them further. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1286:** Counter-Strike Skins as an Investment Asset CS skins are a large and still growing [...] Review 70. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1287:** “Skins” in the Game: Counter-Strike, Esports, and the Shady World of Online Gambling. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1288:** Diginomics Research Perspectives: The Role of Digitalization in Business and Society. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1289:** Advanced Studies in Diginomics and 43 Digitalization. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1290:** Valve thwarts criminals using CS:GO as money laundering platform. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1291:** Beyond financial wealth: The experienced utility of collectibles. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1292:** The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 97: 101865. - *Source:* [Effects of Regulations on Digital Asset Prices - TopSCHOLAR](https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=stu_hon_theses) **Fact 1293:** What is happening is using up wallet funds from stolen and inactive accounts. - *Source:* [Why does this happen sometimes? Money laundering? ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1hckwja/why_does_this_happen_sometimes_money_laundering) **Fact 1294:** Break into account, sell any skins / use up balance on skins. - *Source:* [Why does this happen sometimes? Money laundering? ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1hckwja/why_does_this_happen_sometimes_money_laundering) **Fact 1295:** has attracted increased attention in recent years, which has led to a number of psychological, legal and sociological-empir-ical studies in recent years. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1296:** Topics such as motivation, addiction through gambling and legality are in the foreground (Frieling 2017; Holden/Ehrlich 2017; Martinelli 2017; Zendle/Cairns 2018; Macey/Hamari 2018). - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1297:** How-ever, even though these are important perspectives, the studies remain one-sided, focusing on the individual subject and media effects. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1298:** This pa-per complements this by examining the so-called weapon skin economy from a perspective that combines media cultural studies, discourse anal-ysis, and media economics (Nohr 2008; Nichols 2014; Ruggill/McAllis-ter/Nichols/Kaufman 2016). - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1299:** In doing so, the weapon skin economy in CS:GO offers an example to trace the [...] more than 3 million people wagered $2.3 billion worth of skins on the outcome of e-sports matches in 2015. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1300:** The gambling sites run on software built by Valve, and whenever CS:GO skins are sold, the game maker collects 15 percent of the money.” (Brustein/Novy-Williams 2016) Gambling and betting using weapon skins are lucrative ventures. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1301:** Starting in 2015 at the latest, third-party vendors have exploited Steam program-ming interfaces to circumvent Valve's rules. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1302:** Those external markets made it possible to not only collect and trade virtual goods within the closed platform Steam, but also to pay out winnings directly via PayPal and Bitcoins (Martinelli 2017, 559). - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1303:** For example, the founders of OPSkins – a once popular external marketplace – [...] via Steam, on the other. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1304:** The analysis of the weapon skin economy thus makes it possible to focus on the entanglement of labor, play and economization. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1305:** Keywords: Platformization, Virtual Goods, Weapon Skins, Steam, Coun-ter-Strike Tim Glaser Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods 140 1. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1306:** BLACK MARKET WEAPONS TRADE AND VIRTUAL GOODS “Introducing the Arms Deal Update, which lets you experience all the illicit thrills of black market weapons trafficking without any of the hanging around in darkened warehouses getting knifed to death.”1 When Valve promised its customers the exciting world of black market arms trading in August 2013, no one knew that only a few years later illicit trading of weapon skins in COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE (2012) 2 would become the subject of actual. - *Source:* [Steam and the Platformization of Virtual Goods. An ...](https://d-nb.info/1273442806/34) **Fact 1307:** Skins are virtual items that alter the appearance of in-game objects, such as weapons or characters. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1308:** While they don’t usually impact gameplay or a player’s chances of winning, they allow users to express their individuality. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1309:** Skins range from simple designs to rare collectibles that can be bought, traded, or sold on specialised online platforms. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1310:** The most sought-after and rare skins have become the foundation of a new investment trend. The study by Victoria Dobrynskaya, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of HSE University, and Vladimir Strelnikov, her former student, now a master's student at New Economic School, suggests that digital collectibles from the videogame Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) can yield average annual returns of over 40%. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1311:** [...] To assess the investment appeal of CS:GO skins, the researchers analysed data on nearly 5,000 unique in-game items traded on the Steam platform between 2013 and 2024. The study found that skins are among the top-performing assets in terms of the risk–return ratio. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1312:** The average annual return on a portfolio of skins was 41.2%, which is several times higher than that of the US stock market (CRSP), real estate (REITs), bonds or gold. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1313:** While their profitability is comparable to Bitcoin, skins exhibit significantly lower volatility. According to the analysis, the average skin price was $155, but the distribution was highly skewed, with most items priced significantly lower. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1314:** The median price was just $11.50, while the most expensive skin in the Steam sample sold for nearly $4,000. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1315:** [...] 'In-game collectibles are more than just pixels—they are genuine financial instruments that help diversify portfolios and hedge against volatility. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1316:** At the same time, the market is liquid and transparent, with a capitalisation exceeding $4 billion. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1317:** This market remains relatively unknown to outside investors, and most skin investments come from actual players. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) **Fact 1318:** Long-term investment in skins is a common practice among them,' Dobrynskaya and Strelnikov comment. - *Source:* [HSE Researchers Find Counter-Strike Skins Outperform Bitcoin and Gold as Alternative Investments — HSE University](https://www.hse.ru/en/news/research/1069611940.html) ## Dexerto report Steam support contractor insider trading stealing skins 2023 **Fact 1319:** In 2023, allegations surfaced that Steam support staff were involved in insider trading and stealing millions of dollars worth of CS:GO skins. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1320:** Some high-value accounts were recovered, but others were lost permanently. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1321:** Steam Support CSGO hack responseSteam sent this message to users who had bought stolen items, but they had no idea they were stolen. Other high-tier investors were not as fortunate as HFB, however. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1322:** One in particular, named Qkss, had their account with over $1 million in rare and expensive items hacked and then community-banned. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1323:** All of the items were lost and the account was deleted. > Last year Qkss got community banned and lost millions of $ worth of skins, however, the reason why he got banned was never clear. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1324:** Now, I can pretty much confirm that his account got steam support hacked by 'alexander'. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1325:** > > — quY (@quyy112) February 20, 2023 [...] GamingCS:GO # CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff byCalum Patterson Stolen M4A4 skinTwitter: zipeL Add as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google News Over the past two years, millions of dollars worth of CSGO items were stolen and sold off, both by, and in conspiracy with, Steam Support staff, it has been alleged in a series of videos. Skins and other items in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive range from a value of $0.03 to millions in real-life currency. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1326:** As such, it is a space rife with scammers and thieves. However, a very concerning set of allegations have been released, alerting CS:GO players with high-value inventories that Steam Support itself has been complicit in the theft of expensive items. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1327:** [...] One of the hacked accounts was that of HFB – a Saudi national famous in the skins community who has an estimated inventory value of over $3 million and owns some of the most well-known items in existence. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1328:** In this case, Valve was able to recover the items and reversed the trades, admitting fault on their behalf. Steam sent a message to users who had bought the skins, many of which had spent thousands and now had nothing to show for it: “The items in question were removed from your account because they were received from an account that was compromised through a support help request, for which the CS:GO team takes responsibility. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1329:** We have reversed the trades and removed them from any account which received them.”. - *Source:* [CSGO skins worth millions allegedly stolen with help from Steam Support staff - Dexerto](https://www.dexerto.com/csgo/csgo-skins-worth-millions-allegedly-stolen-with-help-from-steam-support-staff-2066939) **Fact 1330:** [5:02] angry boys who weren't happy to lose the bargain they just snapped off message them to ask what was happening to their skins and the response they got [5:11] contained an extremely interesting admission basically they admitted that Steam support had been tricked into [5:17] handing over their account but how the hell could someone trick steam into doing that well it wouldn't be long [5:25] before the answers would start to come out in February 2023 a series of videos were [5:33] released by a Russian YouTuber called mzk detailing what could only be described as stunning corruption inside of Steam support with a long list of [5:42] victims and literally million stolen the story began with a character called steam help a steam support contract worker who was able to speak Russian who [...] [8:39] the crossfire between two competing groups of hijackers but despite savaging his competition things were about to go [8:47] seriously wrong for our friend Alexander because he tempted to [ __ ] with the wrong person specifically this account here now this guy here was apparently [8:55] very well connected at valve and he got his account back before Alexander could steal anything but what Alexander did [9:03] get in return was an internal investigation at steam which resulted in Steam help and apparently all of the other contractors he worked with getting [9:11] fired by Val great job Alex so about 18 months and several million dollars later the hyra kings were [9:20] over now what I've just told you is mostly mzk story with only a couple of extra details and you might be wondering [...] [5:50] figured he could make a few rubles on the side by selling steam Account Details now this wouldn't allow you to just log into someone else's account it [5:58] didn't work like that in fact this was mostly just to help players get their own accounts unlocked but in theory if you knew what you were doing you could [6:06] use this information to hijack other people's accounts now this would only work with specific other accounts either [6:14] accounts that have been inactive for ages or accounts that have been bought off somebody else but even with that limitation there was no shortage of [6:22] accounts that would be juicy targets and eventually someone came along who knew what they were doing mzk called this guy. - *Source:* [How Steam Support Stole MILLIONS of Skins | TDM_Heyzeus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yzyKPDPlQ0) **Fact 1331:** Steam support does not post messages on your profile, they don't give out warnings about pending bans, they dont give time to move stuff, they wont tell you to move stuff. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1332:** Someone has enough access to the account to make changes to the profile. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1333:** If you try to move any items, the trade will get cancelled and a new one created sending the items to the scammers accounts. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1334:** They do not change your name/avatar unless it violates the rules (advertising, inappropriate language,etc). - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1335:** Such a change would only reset it to the default settings (your steam ID for the name, the default ? avatar for the avatar). - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1336:** This would include an account alert that you have to click a box that says "I have read this" [...] Last edited by Wolf Knight; 24 Jun, 2024 @ 3:30pm #1 and told him to look out for the offer. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1337:** He received the offer then it disappeared from his Steam App conformation. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1338:** Fast forward to now and I have messaged steam about 3 times about this and never received an answer back. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1339:** I have tried every other avenue and yet cannot get the skins that I paid for. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1340:** I wanted to see if someone could help me or if a Steam team member could actually help me get my skins to my friend. Whoever you are talking to, they are not a member from Steam. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1341:** Follow Wolf Knight's instructions to re-secure your account. #2 >;) Showing 1-15 of 17 comments Per page: 1530;) 50;) All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details Date Posted: 24 Jun, 2024 @ 3:28pm Posts: 17 [...] 6. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1342:** If points were stolen, do a password RESET to cancel the awards/points before they are delivered Please review how you are logging into Steam, you somehow gave them your log in information. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1343:** This could of been due to the computer being compromised and redirecting to a fake login, or you using a 3rd party site to login to steam. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1344:** Once you are sure you have regained control, you can start trading again. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1345:** Please triple check any trades you make to be sure they are going to the correct account. - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1346:** After you have secured the account, please edit your profile back to normal (if it was altered by the hijacker/scammer). - *Source:* [Stolen Skins by Steam :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4343240481092478061) **Fact 1347:** Tüm Tartışmalar > Steam Forumları > Help and Tips > Konu Detayları >;) 75 yorumdan 61 ile 75 arası gösteriliyor ? You should wonder, why such hot topic wasn't covered by ArsTechnica, Kotaku, IGN etc. #67 you even said so yourself. - *Source:* [steam support scamming :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4147320059825909723?l=turkish&ctp=5) **Fact 1348:** > İlk olarak ILEONE tarafından gönderildi: > > and the "fake" steam support stole his skins. And finally the scammer having captured their account details weeks or months previously waits until they deem it the appropriate time to act. En son Nx Machina tarafından düzenlendi; 25 Oca 2024 @ 5:37 #69 >;) 75 yorumdan 61 ile 75 arası gösteriliyor Sayfa başına: 1530;) 50;) Tüm Tartışmalar > Steam Forumları > Help and Tips > Konu Detayları Gönderilme Tarihi: 25 Oca 2024 @ 4:21 İleti: 75 Yeni Bir Başlık Aç [...] Giriş yap Mağaza Ana Sayfa Keşif Kuyruğu İstek Listesi Puan Dükknı Haberler Sıralamalar Topluluk Ana Sayfa Tartışmalar Atölye Pazar Yayınlar Hakkında Destek Dili değiştir Steam mobil uygulamasını yükle Masaüstü internet sitesini görüntüle © Valve Corporation. - *Source:* [steam support scamming :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4147320059825909723?l=turkish&ctp=5) **Fact 1349:** Tüm ticari markalar, ABD ve diğer ülkelerde ilgili sahiplerinin mülkiyetindedir. - *Source:* [steam support scamming :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4147320059825909723?l=turkish&ctp=5) **Fact 1350:** Gizlilik Politikası | Yasal Bilgi | Erişilebilirlik | Steam Abonelik Sözleşmesi | İadeler | Çerezler STEAM Steam Ana Sayfası Bağlantısı MAĞAZA Ana Sayfa Keşif Kuyruğu İstek Listesi Puan Dükknı Haberler Sıralamalar TOPLULUK Ana Sayfa Tartışmalar Atölye Pazar Yayınlar Hakkında DESTEK Steam'i Yükleyin giriş yap | dil [...] İleti: 75 Yeni Bir Başlık Aç Tartışma Kuralları ve Yönergeleri Kapat) ## Bu gönderiyi şikyet et Not: Bu SADECE spam, reklam ve sorunlu (taciz, kavga ya da terbiyesizlik içeren) gönderileri raporlamak için kullanılmalıdır. Kapat Yükleniyor. - *Source:* [steam support scamming :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4147320059825909723?l=turkish&ctp=5) **Fact 1351:** In January 2025, my Steam account was hijacked and over $3000 in CS2 skins were stolen. - *Source:* [My Steam account was hijacked, $3000+ in skins stolen. ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/valve/comments/1jvi419/my_steam_account_was_hijacked_3000_in_skins) **Fact 1352:** Sounds like API scam, revoke your api key and change password. - *Source:* [Can Steam help with stolen CS skins and knives?](https://www.facebook.com/groups/12.08.2012CounterStrikeGlobalOffensive/posts/1581609215743777) **Fact 1353:** CS:GO just DESTOYED their game | CSGO SKINS CRASH OVERNIGHT OVER INSIDER TRADING FROM VALVE DEVS .. - *Source:* [CS:GO just DESTOYED their game | CSGO SKINS CRASH ...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FNF7do2eAo) **Fact 1354:** ## What are CS2 trade scams? When you trade CS2 skins, chances are you are dealing with serious amounts of money. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1355:** The most expensive CS2 skins are worth thousands of dollars, meaning that CS2 scammers can make quite a lot of money by stealing skins for CS2, as well as other games, from your Steam account. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1356:** Scammers may promise a valuable item from a different game in exchange for CS2 skins, but in reality, the item turns out to be unpopular and worthless, leaving the victim at a disadvantage. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1357:** [...] Most CS2 scam methods involve scammers impersonating a real trade offer, or a scam site made to look like a legitimate CS2 trading site. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1358:** Players who are caught unaware most often end up handing their rare and expensive CS2 skins to scammers, and even giving away their login information, including their Steam account login and password. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1359:** In addition, many of these CS2 scams are impossible to reverse by Steam support, as they often require players to trade the items themselves, making it impossible for Steam support to help them. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1360:** [...] ### API scams Another method that's connected to phishing attacks is the Steam API scam, possibly one of the most popular and efficient scamming methods out there. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1361:** It takes advantage of the Steam API feature in order to manipulate trade offers and Steal skins that would be otherwise traded to other users or legitimate trading bots. Before scammers can attack you with an API scam, they first need to get a hold of your Steam API key. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1362:** This is mostly done through phishing attempts, either with a fake website, or scammers posing as traders claiming that they need your API key to trade skins. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1363:** Remember, a legitimate website will never ask you to send your Steam API key through an e-mail or personal message. - *Source:* [Don't Get Scammed! Most Popular CS2 (CS:GO) ...](https://skinsmonkey.com/blog/hot-to-avoid-scams-on-steam) **Fact 1364:** Reporting a scammer through the Steam Community will always be better than submitting a Steam Support ticket containing your report. - *Source:* [Steam Trading](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/46A2-2B3C-95CC-8878) **Fact 1365:** Phishing attacks steal Steam credentials, fake “verification bots” fool users into handing over prized items and instant resellers move stolen skins within minutes. Valve’s ecosystem became fertile ground for exploitation because of one key factor — speed. ## Valve Changes the Rules of the Game Valve’s Trade Protection system, which began rolling out by mid-2025, has rewritten how items can move between players. - *Source:* [Valve's Counter-Strike 2 'Trade Up' Update Wipes $2 ...](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/valves-counter-strike-trade-up-skins-but-hits-cs2-scammers-hard) **Fact 1366:** Skins received in a trade are now locked for seven days and flagged as “Trade Protected.” They can still be used in-game, but can’t be retraded, modified, or consumed during that period. The company also added a reversal mechanism, allowing victims to undo fraudulent trades within seven days, restoring items to their original owners. - *Source:* [Valve's Counter-Strike 2 'Trade Up' Update Wipes $2 ...](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/valves-counter-strike-trade-up-skins-but-hits-cs2-scammers-hard) **Fact 1367:** [...] ## Market Built on Digital Gold Counter-Strike 2’s skin-trading ecosystem has operated like a speculative stock market for many years. - *Source:* [Valve's Counter-Strike 2 'Trade Up' Update Wipes $2 ...](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/valves-counter-strike-trade-up-skins-but-hits-cs2-scammers-hard) **Fact 1368:** Players can buy, sell, and trade cosmetic items on the Steam Marketplace or external platforms. Some of those items are sometimes more expensive than luxury cars. The entire market is estimated to have reached around six billion dollars, so it’s easy to understand why it attracted scammers who exploited human error, used advanced social engineering techniques, and employed any possible method to hijack valuable items. As Bitdefender’s guide already explained, skin scams are alarmingly sophisticated, often mimicking real trading interfaces or using cloned marketplaces to trick players. - *Source:* [Valve's Counter-Strike 2 'Trade Up' Update Wipes $2 ...](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/valves-counter-strike-trade-up-skins-but-hits-cs2-scammers-hard) **Fact 1369:** [...] Double-check trade URLs and item details before approving offers. Never click external marketplace links sent through chat or Discord. Enable two-factor authentication via Steam Guard. Regularly monitor your inventory history for unauthorized trades. And most importantly, use dedicated security tools that can block phishing pages and credential-stealing scripts before they strike. Bitdefender’s advanced threat protection suite detects and blocks fake trading platforms and malicious browser redirects. ## CS2 Skins FAQ. - *Source:* [Valve's Counter-Strike 2 'Trade Up' Update Wipes $2 ...](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/valves-counter-strike-trade-up-skins-but-hits-cs2-scammers-hard) ## Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator 15-day trade hold item restoration policy **Fact 1370:** If you enable Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator within 7 days, trades are held for 15 days. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1371:** This hold protects your account and items. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1372:** If you can't enable an Authenticator, Steam will hold the trade or Market sell listing for a period of 15 days so that you'll have enough time. - *Source:* [Steam Item Restoration Policy](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/3B6E-B322-2400-8D24) **Fact 1373:** Trades created within the first 7 days of adding the authenticator will still have up to a 15 day trade hold. - *Source:* [Items on hold in the market, but I have the Steam Guard ...](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1471966894878810067) **Fact 1374:** SteamVaults Sign in with Steam Trade Rules # Steam trade holds and item restrictions Steam sets account and item restrictions; SteamVaults shows its pricing and withdrawal costs before confirmation. ## Steam can hold a trade for up to 15 days Authenticator active under 7 daysUp to 15-day hold Authenticator active 7+ daysNo authenticator-age hold A held trade is delayedWait for Steam If your Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator has been active for less than 7 days, Steam may hold outgoing trades for up to 15 days. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1375:** This is a Valve rule, and SteamVaults cannot shorten or remove it. A hold delays item delivery. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1376:** Because a quote is locked for only 30 seconds, use the readiness check and trade after Steam no longer applies an account hold. Check my Steam readiness [...] ## Steam inventory status decides Marked TradableCan be quoted Shows a Tradable After dateWait until that date Bought in-game or on MarketCheck the shown date Steam marks each item as tradable or shows the date when it becomes tradable. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1377:** SteamVaults can quote a supported Sack of Gems only after Steam marks it tradable. Items bought in-game or on the Community Market can have game-dependent restrictions. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1378:** Check the exact Tradable After date on the Sack of Gems in your inventory; SteamVaults cannot remove it. ## Official Steam sources Steam Support: Trade and Market Holds Steam Support: Trading and Market Restrictions ## Check the two things SteamVaults can verify Review your Steam readiness and the current Sack of Gems quote before starting. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1379:** [...] Check my Steam readiness ## Trade costs are disclosed up front Amount shown in the quoteLocked for 30 seconds Starting spreadUS$0.01 per Sack Separate trade feeNone The spread is the gap between SteamVaults' buy and sell prices. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1380:** It is separate from the difference to the Steam reference price. The quote is locked for 30 seconds. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1381:** After the bot confirms receipt, the accepted sale is credited to your site balance as shown. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1382:** Polygon USDT withdrawal is a separate request with a fixed 0.80 USDT fee and a 5 USDT minimum, both shown before confirmation. ## Steam inventory status decides. - *Source:* [Steam Trade Holds & Item Restrictions - SteamVaults](https://steamvaults.org/trade-holds) **Fact 1383:** Overall, I feel like we should be able to agree to this or not. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1384:** If we [3:55] don't want to agree to this, then we shouldn't have to wait 15 days to trade or sell items on the market. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1385:** At the [4:03] end of the day, if we can't or don't want to download the Steam mobile authenticator, at least shorten the days of holding from 15 days to 7 days or [4:12] something. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1386:** We should also be given the opportunity to decline this and also avoid the holding time altogether. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1387:** Steam [4:19] could create a contract, which we click yes to agree or no to disagree to this [4:26] 15-day holding time. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1388:** And then the contract could state if our account is compromised and items are taken, it is [...] [1:29] account. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1389:** This sounds like it was just made for people who buy super expensive items on Dota 2, CSGO, and you know, [1:37] even killing floor 2. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1390:** If a user trading away or selling [1:47] items hasn't had their account protected by a mobile authenticator for the past seven days, trading and selling items on the market will now be held for 15 days. [1:57] Yes, I summarized it. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1391:** This provides the user time to cancel any pending transactions they didn't authorize. [2:04] So far, I've learned a lot. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1392:** We've learned a lot, but we still haven't learned how to avoid this 15-day holding [...] [0:47] 15 days to sell one item. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1393:** What the hell is this? So I decided to do some more research. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1394:** So, I clicked on learn more [0:56] about how to remove the need for market listing holdings. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1395:** What is a trade on market hold? [1:05] Basically, it's when Steam holds our items before they are sold. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1396:** Steam accounts are valuable, especially if they have items worth stealing. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1397:** If you haven't protected your account with a physical device, the [1:21] Steam Guard mobile authenticator, a trade will give you a time to discover your account has been compromised and to prevent your items from leaving your. - *Source:* [How Do We Avoid The 15 Day Hold Of Items? (Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator App)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSlwjhnqnk) **Fact 1398:** If you can't enable an Authenticator, Steam will hold the trade or Market sell listing for a period of 15 days … no longer restore lost items. - *Source:* [Is Steam Item Restoration Policy outdated now with 7 day ...](https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/ha2vdm/is_steam_item_restoration_policy_outdated_now) **Fact 1399:** Not Enabled Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator: If you didn’t enable the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator, your Trade Hold will last after fifteen days. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1400:** As we already mentioned, you need that time to prevent suspicious activity. Long-Term Friends on Steam: A Trade Hold will last 1 day for users who have been friends on Steam for over one year. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1401:** That also applies to cases where these users don’t enable the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator. Enabled Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator: If you activate the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator for at least seven days, you will not have a Trade Hold on Steam. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1402:** That is one of the solutions to cases where you need to know how to remove Hold Trade while trading on Steam. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1403:** [...] ### How long is a Steam Trade Hold?) A Steam trade hold usually lasts up to 15 days if you don’t have the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled. If you do have it activated for at least 7 days, trades typically go through instantly without a hold. Remarkable $ 156155.81 % Suggested price: $ 149164.68 Titan (Holo) Sticker Sticker | Titan (Holo) | Katowice 2014 Float is not available Covert $ 109309.06 % Suggested price: $ 1295.03 Case Hardened ★ Skeleton Knife ★ Skeleton Knife | Case Hardened FN 0.047066 Covert $ 59499.2 % Suggested price: $ 863.98 Case Hardened ★ M9 Bayonet ★ M9 Bayonet | Case Hardened MW 0.143917 Remarkable $ 48478.63 % Suggested price: $ 20076.69 Vox Eminor (Holo) Sticker Sticker | Vox Eminor (Holo) | Katowice 2014 [...] ### How can I avoid getting a Trade Hold?) The only way to avoid getting a Trade Hold is by enabling Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator, which adds extra security to your Steam account. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1404:** That function doesn’t remove an existing Trade Hold. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1405:** If you already have a Trade Hold, you still should enable Steam Guard to prevent future Trade Holds (once the 7-day period is over). ### How to bypass Steam 15 day trade hold?) You cannot bypass Steam 15-day Trade Hold. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1406:** This security feature is created to prevent unauthorized trades and suspicious activity. ### Do Steam trades expire?) No, Steam trades don’t expire during a Trade Hold. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1407:** Steam held items, making them not tradable till the end of the period of Trade Hold. ### How long is a Steam Trade Hold?). - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold: Common Causes & ...](https://shadowpay.com/blog/trading-101/how-to-remove-steam-trade-hold-quick-easy-solutions) **Fact 1408:** All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details and I managed to trade items with other users that were on hold for 24h max, now I also have a second acc ( which has mobile authenticator enabled, limited account tho ) and my trade items are on hold for 15 days with or without mobile authenticator enabled on the second account. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1409:** Why is this? I thought the mobile authenticator is supposed to allow me to trade/transfer items faster or without any restrictions. <;) >;) Showing 1-13 of 13 comments and I managed to trade items with other users that were on hold for 24h max... It also tells you about being Steam friends for at least 1 year at the top of that trading window. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1410:** Is there something else that can affect this? #4 [...] #3. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1411:** Is there something else that can affect this? #4 and I managed to trade items with other users that were on hold for 24h max... > > > It also tells you about being Steam friends for at least 1 year at the top of that trading window. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1412:** > > :qr: wow, so the authenticator does absolutely nothing if am not friends for more than 1 year? #5 >;) Showing 1-13 of 13 comments Per page: 1530;) 50;) All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details Date Posted: 8 Dec, 2020 @ 11:23am Posts: 13 Start a New Discussion Discussions Rules and Guidelines Close) ## Report this post Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts. Close Loading [...] Sign in Store Home Discovery Queue Wishlist Points Shop News Charts Community Home Discussions Workshop Market Broadcasts About Support Change language Get the Steam Mobile App View desktop website © Valve Corporation. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1413:** All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1414:** Privacy Policy | Legal | Accessibility | Steam Subscriber Agreement | Refunds | Cookies STEAM Link to the Steam Homepage STORE Home Discovery Queue Wishlist Points Shop News Charts COMMUNITY Home Discussions Workshop Market Broadcasts About SUPPORT Install Steam sign in | language. - *Source:* [Trade on hold even with mobile authenticator :: Help and Tips](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2974028351347338147) **Fact 1415:** All Discussions > Steam Forums > Steam Mobile > Topic Details >;) Showing 1-15 of 16 comments #2 to be enabled for 15 days to help protect your items and Steam Wallet funds from being misused by someone who may have illicitly obtained your password. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1416:** If you have not had Steam Guard enabled for 15 days, you will be unable to trade or use the Community Market. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1417:** Accounts that currently have Steam Guard disabled will be unable to trade and use the Community Market. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1418:** > No Purchase Older Than 30 Days > > Your account must have a successful purchase older than 30 days, but not older than a year in order to access the Community Market. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1419:** The purchase of wallet funds, games, DLCs and software meet this requirement. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1420:** Activating a Steam Wallet Code or Gift Card on your account to add funds to your Steam Wallet also meet this requirement. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1421:** Retail CD key activation and gift purchases do not satisfy this requirement. 2 different restrictions for newly created accounts. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1422:** its all good now! #7 >;) Showing 1-15 of 16 comments Per page: 1530;) 50;) All Discussions > Steam Forums > Steam Mobile > Topic Details Date Posted: 19 Feb, 2018 @ 4:07pm Posts: 16 [...] Sign in Store Home Discovery Queue Wishlist Points Shop News Charts Community Home Discussions Workshop Market Broadcasts About Support Change language Get the Steam Mobile App View desktop website © Valve Corporation. - *Source:* [Mobile Steam Guard trade hold 7 days or 15? :: Steam Mobile](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/8/2860219962100338908) **Fact 1423:** The first thing you should do is enable the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold](https://hellcase.com/blog/guides/how-to-remove-steam-trade-holds) **Fact 1424:** This simple step cuts your trade hold time from 15 days to just. - *Source:* [How to Remove Steam Trade Hold](https://hellcase.com/blog/guides/how-to-remove-steam-trade-holds) ## node-steam-tradeoffer-manager technical limits and automated trading architecture **Fact 1425:** node-steam-tradeoffer-manager limits polls to one per second and supports automated trading architecture for Steam trade offers. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1426:** It avoids duplicate offers and can run full updates at intervals. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1427:** June 13, 2016 - Don't worry about spamming this method, node-steam-tradeoffer-manager will automatically limit polls to at most one per second. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager @ v1 · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager-@-v1) **Fact 1428:** offer - A TradeOffer object for the newly-received offer · Emitted when polling detects a new trade offer sent to us. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager @ v1 · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager-@-v1) **Fact 1429:** v1.22.0 or later is required to use this method Finds offers which contain the given item(s). - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1430:** Any offer which contains at least one item you passed in will be returned. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1431:** Might be useful to avoid sending duplicate offers, or to cancel previous ones. ### doPoll() Immediately performs a poll. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1432:** Can be used even if timed polling is disabled to poll on your own schedule. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1433:** Don't worry about spamming this method, `node-steam-tradeoffer-manager` will automatically limit polls to at most one per second. `node-steam-tradeoffer-manager` # Events ### newOffer `offer` `TradeOffer` Emitted when polling detects a new trade offer sent to us. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1434:** Only emitted if polling is enabled. ### sentOfferChanged `offer` `TradeOffer` `oldState` `ETradeOfferState` [...] `1000` `30000` ### minimumPollInterval Optional. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1435:** by Steam integration) but a poll has already been fired off less than this time ago, the triggered poll will be suppressed. Minimum `1000`, default `1000` (1 second). `1000` `1000` ### pollFullUpdateInterval Optional. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1436:** When a poll is triggered, TradeOfferManager ordinarily requests only trade offers that have been updated since the last poll. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1437:** However, TradeOfferManager occasionally runs "full updates" where it requests all recent trade offers for the account, to ensure that nothing is missed. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1438:** This option controls the interval (in milliseconds) at which full updates are run. Minimum `1000`, default `120000` (120 seconds / 2 minutes). `1000` `120000` [...] Minimum is `1000` ms. `1000` ### pollFullUpdateInterval v2.11.0 or later is required to use this property. When a poll is triggered, TradeOfferManager ordinarily requests only trade offers that have been updated since the last poll. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1439:** This property controls the interval (in milliseconds) at which full updates are run. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1440:** You can change this at any time, although the change will only take effect after the next poll. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1441:** This value is initially set in the constructor. Minimum is `1000` ms. `1000` ### cancelTime v1.6.0 or later is required to use this property. - *Source:* [TradeOfferManager · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOfferManager) **Fact 1442:** This module is designed to be a completely self-contained manager for Steam trade offers. - *Source:* [GitHub - jspenc72/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager: Simple and sane Steam trade offer management](https://github.com/jspenc72/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1443:** # Steam Trade Offer Manager for Node.js npm version npm downloads license sponsors npm version npm downloads license sponsors This module is designed to be a completely self-contained manager for Steam trade offers. Instead of being just a simple API wrapper, it's designed to take most of the work out of implementing trade offers in your application. You absolutely need Node.js v4.0.0 or later or this won't work. Install it from npm or check out the wiki for documentation. Have a question about the module or coding in general? Do not create a GitHub issue. - *Source:* [GitHub - DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager: Simple and sane Steam trade offer management · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1444:** GitHub issues are for feature requests and bug reports. - *Source:* [GitHub - DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager: Simple and sane Steam trade offer management · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1445:** Instead, post in the dedicated forum. Such issues may be ignored! # Support Report bugs on the issue tracker or ask questions on the dedicated forum. ## About [...] ## Navigation Menu ### Uh oh! There was an error while loading. - *Source:* [GitHub - DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager: Simple and sane Steam trade offer management · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1446:** Please reload this page. There was an error while loading. - *Source:* [GitHub - DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager: Simple and sane Steam trade offer management · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1447:** Please reload this page. ## Latest commit ## History ## Folders and files | Name | | Name | Last commit message | Last commit date | --- --- | .github | | .github | | | | .idea | | .idea | | | | examples | | examples | | | | lib | | lib | | | | resources | | resources | | | | scripts | | scripts | | | | .editorconfig | | .editorconfig | | | | .gitignore | | .gitignore | | | | .npmrc | | .npmrc | | | | CONTRIBUTING.md | | CONTRIBUTING.md | | | | LICENSE | | LICENSE | | | | README.md | | README.md | | | | package.json | | package.json | | | | View all files | | | ## Repository files navigation # Steam Trade Offer Manager for Node.js [...] ## About Simple and sane Steam trade offer management ### Topics ### Resources ### Contributing ### Stars ### Watchers ### Forks ## Releases ## Sponsor this project ## Packages ## Used by ## Contributors ## Languages ## Footer ### Footer navigation. - *Source:* [GitHub - DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager: Simple and sane Steam trade offer management · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1448:** You absolutely need Node.js v4.0.0 or later or this. - *Source:* [steam-tradeoffer-manager](https://www.npmjs.com/package/steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1449:** As of v1.3.0, on failure, the err object may contain a cause property which will be one of TradeBan (if the partner is trade banned), NewDevice (if you've logged in from a new device and must wait), or TargetCannotTrade (if the partner cannot trade due to Steam Guard, password reset, etc.). - *Source:* [TradeOffer @ v1 · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOffer-@-v1) **Fact 1450:** If an error occurs, polling is enabled, and autoRetry isn't set to false, node-steam-tradeoffer-manager will automatically keep trying to accept the offer every minute, unless cause is defined on the Error object. - *Source:* [TradeOffer @ v1 · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOffer-@-v1) **Fact 1451:** Jump to content node-steam-tradeoffer-manager McKay Development Existing user? Sign In Sign Up # HTTP error 429: Rate limits Sharp By Sharp in node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Share Followers 1 Reply to this topic Start new topic ## Recommended Posts ## Join the conversation You can post now and register later. - *Source:* [HTTP error 429: Rate limits - node-steam-tradeoffer-manager - McKay Development](https://dev.doctormckay.com/topic/5692-http-error-429-rate-limits) **Fact 1452:** If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. - *Source:* [HTTP error 429: Rate limits - node-steam-tradeoffer-manager - McKay Development](https://dev.doctormckay.com/topic/5692-http-error-429-rate-limits) **Fact 1453:** Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Share Followers 1 Go to topic listing × Existing user? Sign In Sign Up #### Browse + Back + Forums + Online Users #### Activity + Back + All Activity + Search #### Donate + Back + Donate × Create New... - *Source:* [HTTP error 429: Rate limits - node-steam-tradeoffer-manager - McKay Development](https://dev.doctormckay.com/topic/5692-http-error-429-rate-limits) **Fact 1454:** With the default value of false for skipStateUpdate, TradeOfferManager will query the trade offer's new status from the WebAPI before calling your callback. - *Source:* [TradeOffer · DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/DoctorMcKay/node-steam-tradeoffer-manager/wiki/TradeOffer) **Fact 1455:** Makes Steam trade offers easy! Based on the excellent node-steam-tradeoffer-manager. - *Source:* [steam_tradeoffer_manager - Rust](https://docs.rs/steam-tradeoffer-manager) **Fact 1456:** Richly-featured API for creating, accepting, cancelling, and. - *Source:* [steam_tradeoffer_manager - Rust](https://docs.rs/steam-tradeoffer-manager) ## BEUC European Consumer Organisation complaint against video game premium currencies **Fact 1457:** The BEUC filed a complaint against leading video game companies for using premium in-game currencies, alleging violations of EU consumer protection laws due to lack of transparency and unfair terms. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1458:** The complaint focuses on games like Fortnite and Minecraft. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1459:** The BEUC seeks enforcement actions to ensure fair practices. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1460:** Photo. On September 12, 2024, The European Consumer Organisation ("BEUC"), in collaboration with 22 member organisations from 17 countries, including Denmark, Norway and Sweden, filed a complaint with the European Commission against several leading video game companies such as Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, and Mojang Studios, specifically in connection with their games like EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft, Fortnite and Diablo IV. - *Source:* [Premium in-game currencies threaten consumer rights - Schjødt](https://schjodt.com/news/premium-in-game-currencies-threaten-consumer-rights-beuc-submits-complaint-against-leading-video-game-companies) **Fact 1461:** BEUC alleges that these companies, when using premium in-game currencies as an additional layer between the real currency spent by consumers and the virtual items they purchase, engage in manipulative practices that violate EU consumer protection laws. ## Pricing Transparency [...] Norway, Sweden, Denmark, UK # Premium in-game currencies threaten consumer rights: BEUC submits complaint against leading video game companies by Elisabeth Bekke Kjær Published: Girl with headphones playing video game. - *Source:* [Premium in-game currencies threaten consumer rights - Schjødt](https://schjodt.com/news/premium-in-game-currencies-threaten-consumer-rights-beuc-submits-complaint-against-leading-video-game-companies) **Fact 1462:** [...] ## Pricing Transparency An issue identified by BEUC is the lack of transparency surrounding the cost of in-game purchases. - *Source:* [Premium in-game currencies threaten consumer rights - Schjødt](https://schjodt.com/news/premium-in-game-currencies-threaten-consumer-rights-beuc-submits-complaint-against-leading-video-game-companies) **Fact 1463:** Consumers are often required to buy the premium in-game currencies in bundles, obscuring the true cost, which can lead consumers into unintentional overspending. - *Source:* [Premium in-game currencies threaten consumer rights - Schjødt](https://schjodt.com/news/premium-in-game-currencies-threaten-consumer-rights-beuc-submits-complaint-against-leading-video-game-companies) **Fact 1464:** BEUC argues that in-game purchases should be displayed in real-world currency, or at least, offer a clear equivalent. ## Unfair contractual terms Beyond the issue of transparency, BEUC highlighted that consumers are often faced with unfair terms when purchasing premium in-game currencies. - *Source:* [Premium in-game currencies threaten consumer rights - Schjødt](https://schjodt.com/news/premium-in-game-currencies-threaten-consumer-rights-beuc-submits-complaint-against-leading-video-game-companies) **Fact 1465:** ## What is BEUC proposing in its complaing against unfair in-game currencies practices? The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and its members filed a complaint to the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities (CPC), calling on them to launch an investigation. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1466:** We call on authorities to ensure that traders play by the rules and provide consumers with safe gaming environments. We call on the CPC-Network to: Start a coordinated enforcement action and publish a joint position. Request traders to stop the unfair commercial practices. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1467:** [...] Over the past years, video game companies have evolved business models that rely more and more on in-game purchases, including in-game currency. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1468:** Premium in-game currencies are widely present in games on the market. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1469:** A review of 50 of the video games that were most played in 2023 shows that 21 of them (42%) include premium currencies. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1470:** Out of these 21 games, 8 have an age rating of 12 or lower. The problems flagged in this alert go beyond video games and apply also to social media platforms and other marketplaces. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1471:** BEUC already pointed out in 2021 that TikTok was unclear on how much its virtual currency was worth. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1472:** Better enforcement of the consumer law framework in the video game sector and further regulation in the coming years is essential. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1473:** [...] # Game OVER ## Game OVER On 12 September 2024, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and member organisations from 17 countries denounced to EU authorities the unfair practices of leading video game companies, behind games such as Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft and Clash of Clans. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1474:** Our analysis concludes that traders breach EU consumer protection laws. ## Why are in-game currencies important to consumers?. - *Source:* [Game OVER | BEUC](https://www.beuc.eu/game-over) **Fact 1475:** In 2020, in-game purchases generated approximately €46 billion, representing about a quarter of revenues in the video game market. - *Source:* [Consumer groups complain to EU authorities over video games’ in-game purchase features - Society for Computers & Law](https://www.scl.org/consumer-groups-complain-to-eu-authorities-over-video-games-in-game-purchase-features) **Fact 1476:** In recent years, video game companies have increasingly relied on in-game purchases in their business models, including in-game currency. BEUC has described how the video game industry tries to maximise spending by using premium in-game currencies. - *Source:* [Consumer groups complain to EU authorities over video games’ in-game purchase features - Society for Computers & Law](https://www.scl.org/consumer-groups-complain-to-eu-authorities-over-video-games-in-game-purchase-features) **Fact 1477:** The BEUC and its members have argued that: [...] Skip to content SCL X SCL Facebook SCL Linkedin SCL Instagram SCL Youtube Newsletter Membership Login / Register (0) # Consumer groups complain to EU authorities over video games’ in-game purchase features September 24, 2024 Various EU consumer bodies including BEUC and national bodies have made a formal complaint to EU authorities about alleged unfair practices by leading video game companies which make games such as Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft and Clash of Clans. BEUC’s analysis has concluded that traders breach EU consumer protection laws and so has called on EU authorities to ensure that traders comply with the rules and provide consumers with safe gaming environments. - *Source:* [Consumer groups complain to EU authorities over video games’ in-game purchase features - Society for Computers & Law](https://www.scl.org/consumer-groups-complain-to-eu-authorities-over-video-games-in-game-purchase-features) **Fact 1478:** [...] Consumers cannot see the real cost of digital items, leading to overspending: the lack of price transparency of premium in-game currencies and the requirement to buy extra currency in bundles can push consumers to spend more. Companies’ claims that gamers prefer in-game premium currencies are misguided. - *Source:* [Consumer groups complain to EU authorities over video games’ in-game purchase features - Society for Computers & Law](https://www.scl.org/consumer-groups-complain-to-eu-authorities-over-video-games-in-game-purchase-features) **Fact 1479:** Many consumers can find this step misleading and often prefer buying items with real money Consumers can be denied their rights when using in-game premium currencies, which are tied to terms which can favour game developers. - *Source:* [Consumer groups complain to EU authorities over video games’ in-game purchase features - Society for Computers & Law](https://www.scl.org/consumer-groups-complain-to-eu-authorities-over-video-games-in-game-purchase-features) **Fact 1480:** A primary concern articulated by BEUC is the lack of price transparency associated with in-game purchases, especially the use of premium currencies. - *Source:* [EU Consumer Bodies Call Out Video Game Companies ...](https://www.legal500.com/intelligence/european-union/consumer-protection/eu-consumer-bodies-call-out-video-game-companies-for-unfair-practices) **Fact 1481:** The BEUC calls for further policy, regulation and enforcement of in-app and in-game transactions involving premium currencies in the video game. - *Source:* [European consumer body challenges in-game premium ...](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ed9d0281-571b-4301-b7c9-0e03e340c7fc) **Fact 1482:** The BEUC accuses game publishers of misleading consumers into spending on in-game currencies and upgrades. - *Source:* [EU consumer group calls for ban on in-app purchases](https://www.emarketer.com/content/eu-consumer-group-calls-ban-on-in-app-purchases) **Fact 1483:** Published on 12.09.2024 ### About this publication BEUC and 22 of its member organisations from 17 countries have filed a complaint on 12 September 2024 to the European Commission and the network of consumer protection Authorities (CPC-Network) to denounce several deceptive practices by leading video game companies (Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Mojang Studios, Roblox Corporation, Supercell and Ubisoft) marketing popular games (such as Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft, Clash of Clans and others) and affecting millions of European consumers. According to our analysis, these companies are using misleading tactics that do not comply with the EU rules on unfair commercial practices. - *Source:* [Game over: Consumers fight for fairer in-game purchases](https://www.beuc.eu/reports/game-over-consumers-fight-fairer-game-purchases) **Fact 1484:** In particular we identified that: [...] Gamers cannot see the real cost of digital items, leading to overspending. Companies’ claims that gamers prefer in-game premium currencies are wrong. Consumers are often denied their rights when using premium in-game currencies. Children are vulnerable to these manipulative tactics. ### Download: Image cover of report Game Over Game over: Consumers fight for fairer in-game purchases 12.09.2024 - PDF Document - 1.68 MB Unfair commercial practices Available in English Download [...] # Game over: Consumers fight for fairer in-game purchases Home PRIORITIES + Consumer rights + Digital rights + Financial services + International affairs + Redress & enforcement + Safety + Sustainable Consumption & Production + Transport PUBLICATIONS + Position papers + EU Presidency memos + Factsheets + Letters + Brochures/Reports + Tools PROJECTS + Ongoing Projects + Past projects SUCCESS STORIES ENFORCEMENT + Ongoing actions and cases + Closed actions and cases background ## Reports Follow related Publications Contact us All Reports ### Game over: Consumers fight for fairer in-game purchases Published on 12.09.2024 ### About this publication. - *Source:* [Game over: Consumers fight for fairer in-game purchases](https://www.beuc.eu/reports/game-over-consumers-fight-fairer-game-purchases) **Fact 1485:** BEUC and 22 member organisations from 17 countries submitted a complaint to EU authorities on the unfair practices of leading video game. - *Source:* [BEUC | Game Over: Consumers fight for fairer in-game purchases](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SNCWdGYdsw) **Fact 1486:** Categorising the use of virtual currencies as “problematic practices,” or banning them altogether, would “render games unplayable”, they warn, anticipating major measures targeting the games monetisation mechanism. ### Transparency call Consumer groups, however, argue that gamers deserve more transparency over the goods they purchase inside games. “We need transparency regarding the actual cost of purchases made with virtual currency,” said Dr. - *Source:* [Game developers fret over EU's consumer push on virtual currencies | Euractiv](https://www.euractiv.com/news/games-developers-fret-over-eus-consumer-push-on-virtual-currencies) **Fact 1487:** Urs Buscke from the umbrella European consumer organisation BEUC in comments sent to Euractiv. “You need to know how much you’re actually paying for – let’s say – a sword that you’re buying in a game.” [...] They go on to take aim at the CPC guidelines – accusing the network of advancing “a new legal interpretation for in-game currencies”, and doing so without undertaking any consultation with the industry. In-game currencies, such as Fortnite’s V-Bucks, typically function as “digital representations of value”, as the Commission describes them. - *Source:* [Game developers fret over EU's consumer push on virtual currencies | Euractiv](https://www.euractiv.com/news/games-developers-fret-over-eus-consumer-push-on-virtual-currencies) **Fact 1488:** Players purchase these digital coins (with real money) in order to spend virtual money buying in-game content. This means it may not always be immediately clear to players how much a digital item is costing them. The Commission’s recent guidelines on in-game currencies called on developers to provide users with “greater transparency” when purchasing digital content. - *Source:* [Game developers fret over EU's consumer push on virtual currencies | Euractiv](https://www.euractiv.com/news/games-developers-fret-over-eus-consumer-push-on-virtual-currencies) **Fact 1489:** But games companies are worried that this would disrupt the gaming experience. - *Source:* [Game developers fret over EU's consumer push on virtual currencies | Euractiv](https://www.euractiv.com/news/games-developers-fret-over-eus-consumer-push-on-virtual-currencies) **Fact 1490:** [...] ### Policy areas # Game developers fret over EU's consumer push on virtual currencies EU consumer protection rules will likely soon extend to in-game virtual currencies for buying digital goods Robot holding butterfly Game makers are defending the practice of having players purchase virtual goods – like magic swords or extra fuel – from incoming EU regulation. The use of in-game virtual currencies has come under the European Commission’s consumer protection microscope of late, thanks to recent guidelines issued by the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network. The forthcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA) is also set to introduce new rules on online consumer protection. - *Source:* [Game developers fret over EU's consumer push on virtual currencies | Euractiv](https://www.euractiv.com/news/games-developers-fret-over-eus-consumer-push-on-virtual-currencies) **Fact 1491:** What Are the Key Recommendations for In-Game Virtual Currency? The CPC Network’s recommendations are designed to enhance transparency, prevent unfair practices, and protect consumers’ financial well-being. - *Source:* [EU: New European Consumer Protection Guidelines for Virtual Currencies in Video Games | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP - JDSupra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/eu-new-european-consumer-protection-9246457) **Fact 1492:** These principles are not exhaustive but cover several crucial areas: These principles reflect the growing concern by European regulators of exploitation of consumers, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, in the gaming world. - *Source:* [EU: New European Consumer Protection Guidelines for Virtual Currencies in Video Games | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP - JDSupra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/eu-new-european-consumer-protection-9246457) **Fact 1493:** The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has strongly supported these measures, which aim to provide a safer, more transparent gaming experience for players. Enforcement Actions and Legal Proceedings [...] Enforcement Actions and Legal Proceedings On the same day, coordinated by the European Commission the CPC Network initiated legal proceedings against the developer of on online game. - *Source:* [EU: New European Consumer Protection Guidelines for Virtual Currencies in Video Games | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP - JDSupra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/eu-new-european-consumer-protection-9246457) **Fact 1494:** This action, driven by a complaint from the Swedish Consumers’ Association, addresses concerns about the company’s marketing practices, particularly those targeting children. - *Source:* [EU: New European Consumer Protection Guidelines for Virtual Currencies in Video Games | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP - JDSupra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/eu-new-european-consumer-protection-9246457) **Fact 1495:** Allegations include misleading advertisements urging children to purchase in-game currency, aggressive sales tactics such as time-limited offers, and a failure to provide clear pricing information. A Safer Gaming Future [...] inform the enforcement of consumer protection agencies on national level across the EU. - *Source:* [EU: New European Consumer Protection Guidelines for Virtual Currencies in Video Games | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP - JDSupra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/eu-new-european-consumer-protection-9246457) ## Netherlands Kansspelautoriteit loot box gambling Valve CS:GO market ban **Fact 1496:** Valve suspended trading in CS:GO and Dota 2 in the Netherlands to comply with local gambling laws, and the ban was later overturned on appeal. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1497:** The Netherlands Kansspelautoriteit initially targeted loot boxes as gambling, but the Council of State ruled in 2022 that FUT packs in FIFA were not standalone games of chance. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1498:** In the meantime, we have a threat from the Kansspelautoriteit to prosecute Valve if we don’t implement a remedy by June 20. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1499:** The letters don’t tell us how to do that, but the Study into Loot Boxes does contain one rather simplistic statement: “Loot boxes contravene the law if the in-game goods from the loot boxes are transferable. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1500:** Loot boxes do not contravene the law if the in-game goods from the loot boxes are not transferable.” So for now our only practical alternative is to disable trading and Steam Marketplace transfers for CS:GO and Dota 2 items for Dutch customers. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1501:** We hope that, after more engagement with the Kansspelautoriteit, they may refine their legal demands and we can find a solution that is less inconvenient. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1502:** [...] In May, we received two letters from the Dutch Kansspelautoriteit, stating that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 contain ‘loot boxes’ that violate the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1503:** The Kansspelautoriteit accusation is different from how other countries think about loot boxes, so we hired Dutch legal counsel, looked at the recent Study into Loot Boxes published by the Kansspelautoriteit, and learned more about Dutch law. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1504:** We still don’t understand or agree with the Kansspelautoriteit’s legal conclusion, and we’ve responded to explain more about CS:GO and Dota 2. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1505:** [...] “The reason is that the content of these loot boxes is determined by chance and that the prizes to be won can be traded outside of the game: the prizes have a market value,” the authority said in a press release (PDF) in April. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1506:** “Offering this type of game of chance to Dutch players without a licence is prohibited. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1507:** Moreover, the analyses that are currently available indicate that all of the loot boxes that were studied could be addictive.” The authority said it requested that game makers who offer loot boxes in their games to modify them “before mid-June,” and warned that it “may instigate enforcement action against providers of games of chance with loot boxes that do not adhere to this norm” by June 20, 2018. - *Source:* [Valve suspends some trading in CS:GO, Dota 2 to comply with Dutch loot box law](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17484060/valve-csgo-dota-2-trading-blocked-netherlands) **Fact 1508:** Dutch authorities have made a move to ban skin trading for CS:GO and Dota2! This is a massive crack down on lootbox gambling. - *Source:* [Netherlands Ban Skin Trading - CS:GO / DOTA2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEPchfVoty0) **Fact 1509:** The Netherlands Gaming Authority ruled earlier this year that loot boxes that drop items with real-world value violate its Betting and Gaming Act. - *Source:* [Citing Dutch law, Valve drops trading CS:GO and Dota 2 ...](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/citing-dutch-law-valve-drops-trading-i-cs-go-i-and-i-dota-2-i-items-in-the-netherlands) **Fact 1510:** The Dutch Kansspelautoriteit took the same view as Belgium in 2018, ordered EA to remove FUT packs from the Dutch market, and won a first-instance administrative ruling. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1511:** In March 2022 the Raad van State – the Council of State, the Netherlands’ highest administrative court – reversed. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1512:** The court held that FUT packs were a feature of a game of skill (football) rather than a standalone game of chance, and that under Dutch law the gambling regulator did not have jurisdiction to ban a feature of a non-gambling game. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1513:** The Kansspelautoriteit’s fine of €10 million was annulled. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1514:** EA resumed FUT pack sales in the Netherlands without changes. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1515:** [...] The Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (Gaming Authority) launched its loot-box investigation in April 2018, weeks after the Belgian report. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1516:** The Authority concluded that ten unnamed games contained loot boxes meeting the Dutch definition of a game of chance, of which four had transferable in-game items that could be cashed out outside the game economy. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1517:** The Authority ordered the publishers to either remove the loot boxes or face fines, and after EA refused to remove FUT packs, imposed a €5 million fine in October 2020, later raised in cumulative penalties. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1518:** [...] The Netherlands attempted a similar 2018 ban through the Kansspelautoriteit, won a first-instance ruling against EA in 2020, then lost on appeal in March 2022 when the Council of State held that FUT packs were a feature of a game of skill rather than a standalone game of chance. ESRB added the “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)” label in April 2020, applied to any retail or digital console game with paid randomized content; the IARC mirrored the label for mobile, and Apple/Google have required published odds for loot-box apps in their stores since late 2017. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes (August 2026): Belgium Ban, 0.26% Knife Odds](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1519:** For financial crime controls, the European Gaming and Betting Association has sector‑specific AML Guidelines (PDF) and publishes updates on members’ annual compliance reporting (EGBA update, July 2025). The Netherlands has also tightened marketing rules for iGaming advertising. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1520:** A phased ban on untargeted gambling advertising commenced on 1 July 2023, with a full ban on sports sponsorships by online gambling operators taking effect on 1 July 2025. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1521:** See the Dutch government’s announcement and regulator follow‑up: Rijksoverheid news, 30 June 2025, Rijksoverheid explainer, Kansspelautoriteit news and KSA FAQ on sponsorship ban. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1522:** [...] ## The design pivot The design illustrates how rules are implemented in practice, both in iGaming product design and in games. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1523:** In 2018, after a warning from the Dutch regulator, Valve limited item trading in CS:GO and Dota 2 for users in the Netherlands, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz and Polygon. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1524:** In 2019, CS:GO introduced an X-ray scanner in France that required players to reveal the specific item before buying a key and to claim it before scanning another case. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1525:** This removed the blind purchase while keeping the item economy. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1526:** Soft2Bet’s motivational engineering avoids reliance on trading by specifying rewards in advance. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1527:** Moving randomisation before purchase, showing odds where relevant, pricing in fiat, and avoiding forced currency ladders reduce risk. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1528:** See the European Parliament’s resolution on online video games (Jan 2023). Account for jurisdictions that regulate the marketing, not the mechanic. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1529:** Sponsorship and advertising rules can be the binding constraint even when a loot‑box mechanic passes a gambling test. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1530:** The Dutch sports sponsorship ban, effective from 1 July 2025, is a clear example (government news; KSA follow-up). Build auditability from day one. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1531:** Licensed iGaming demonstrates how to scale by aligning with player-protection directives and AML guidance, with features toggled per market. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1532:** See MGA’s Player Protection Directive and EGBA’s AML Guidelines. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes, Video Game Compliance, and iGaming Regulation](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1533:** The Netherlands was the only country known to have attempted to enforce gambling law against illegal loot box implementations satisfying the above definition. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on Steam: a longitudinal study on their presence and non-compliance with and non-enforcement of gambling law](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1534:** In 2018, the Dutch gambling regulator threatened criminal prosecution of Valve for offering allegedly illegal loot boxes in _Counter-Strike: Global Offensive_ (_CS:GO_; Valve, Citation 2012) and _Dota 2_ (_Defense of the Ancients 2_; Valve, Citation 2013). - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on Steam: a longitudinal study on their presence and non-compliance with and non-enforcement of gambling law](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1535:** Valve complied with the demands by first disabling Dutch players’ ability to transfer loot box content between each other (McWhertor, Citation 2018) and then disabling their ability to engage with loot boxes (Handrahan, Citation 2018). - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on Steam: a longitudinal study on their presence and non-compliance with and non-enforcement of gambling law](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1536:** However, in 2022, on final appeal by another video game company, the Dutch court has since overturned the country’s gambling regulator’s decision [...] having published opinions on what types of loot boxes would be deemed as illegal gambling. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on Steam: a longitudinal study on their presence and non-compliance with and non-enforcement of gambling law](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1537:** Indeed, in 2018, the Dutch gambling regulator had even previously enforced the law against _CS:GO_ and _Dota 2_ in the Netherlands (although that enforcement action would now likely be deemed illegal due to a separate legal point (Afdeling Bestuursrechtspraak Raad van State [Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State] (The Netherlands), Citation 2022; Xiao & Declerck, Citation 2023), but it is not known whether Valve has reverted its ‘compliance’ action that it was incorrectly forced to perform) (Handrahan, Citation 2018; McWhertor, Citation 2018). - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on Steam: a longitudinal study on their presence and non-compliance with and non-enforcement of gambling law](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1538:** It is not known why other gambling regulators have not enforced the law, in contrast to what the Dutch regulator has tried but [...] Valve should have ensured that any loot box content is not transferable using the Steam Community Market in countries where the provision of such facilities would render the relevant loot boxes into illegal gambling (which we know Valve is technically capable of doing from the previous experience in the Netherlands). - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on Steam: a longitudinal study on their presence and non-compliance with and non-enforcement of gambling law](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1539:** Not long ago, the Netherlands ruled that loot boxes in games are gambling, and have been designed to get people addicted, in order to spend more. - *Source:* [Valve Disables Trading for CS:GO and Dota 2 in Netherlands](https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/lootboxes-valve-disables-trading-for-cs-go-and-dota-2-in-netherlands.245350) **Fact 1540:** ## Netherlands: Gambling Authority Enforcement The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, or KSA) established its loot box standard in April 2018: loot boxes whose contents are non-transferable are lawful in-game features; loot boxes whose contents are transferable — tradeable between players or convertible to real-world currency — are illegal games of chance under the Wet op de kansspelen. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1541:** Developers were given until June 20, 2018 to disable transferable loot box functionality or face fines up to €830,000 and potential sales bans. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1542:** [...] Tier 2 — Trading functionality gate (Belgium and Netherlands). - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1543:** Does your game allow players to trade items, sell them to other players, or convert them to cash? If yes, that single design decision creates unlawful gambling in Belgium and the Netherlands. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1544:** Valve disabled item trading for CS:GO players in both countries after the 2018 rulings. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1545:** For indie studios, the options are geo-fenced disabling of trading functionality for BE and NL users, or designing a closed-item economy from the start. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1546:** The Belgian penalty structure — criminal imprisonment up to five years — is the highest-stakes compliance decision in your global launch. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1547:** [...] The practical compliance picture for the Netherlands has two firm rules. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1548:** First, the transferability prohibition has never been challenged — no court has overturned the KSA's core finding that tradeable loot box items constitute gambling. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1549:** If your game allows players to trade or sell items on secondary markets, disable that functionality for Dutch users. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1550:** Second, the 2022 EA ruling suggests that deeply embedded randomized mechanics (not separable from the main game loop) carry lower enforcement risk than bolt-on loot box stores operating as separate gambling products. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1551:** For indie studios launching live-service games in Europe, these two points define the architectural decisions that determine Dutch compliance from day one. ## Germany, France, UK, and EU-Level Developments. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: Compliance Guide for Game Studios | Promise Legal](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-by-jurisdiction-indie-game-studios) **Fact 1552:** Market and item trading were switched off after the Netherlands Gaming Authority ruled that some videogame loot boxes—it didn't reveal which—. - *Source:* [CS:GO has blocked Dutch and Belgian players from ...](https://www.facebook.com/Eurogamer/posts/csgo-has-blocked-dutch-and-belgian-players-from-opening-loot-boxes-so-why-is-it-/10157330554836754) **Fact 1553:** [0:40] Netherlands also gave trespassing companies a deadline by which they needed to comply with Dutch gambling laws if they don't wish to face fines [0:49] sales bans or other consequences the latter deliberated that paid loot boxes as a whole violated their gambling laws [0:56] after investigating games like battlefront to overwatch fee f---eighteen and Counter Strike global Offensive regardless of whether they [1:05] were paid a win or cosmetic only sighting how if there's a game element a bet can lead to profit or loss and chance has a role than it is gambling in [1:14] fact they went as far as stipulating that those who fail to remove loot boxes may be fined by the government face sales bans and even face criminal [...] [1:22] charges Belgium also said at one point that they want loot boxes banned across all of Europe and there are seemingly talks happening all across the entire [1:31] European Union on this issue it's probably safe to say that companies like EA who have put all their eggs into the [1:39] exploitative loot box basket to achieve their current financial success are none too happy about these deliberations [1:46] another company that's starting to feel the pressure is valve who a month ago on June 19th 2018 disabled trading as well [1:54] as the steam marketplace in Netherlands due to the recently imposed deliberations and sanctions players could still open loot boxes but they [2:02] could no longer buy or sell items via Steam since then things have been relatively silent on that front [...] [3:30] for gambling but with chance no longer being a factor there shouldn't be any more problems now do you keep in mind that this is [3:38] just the beginning so far the only game we have seen loot boxes forcefully pulled from has been Counter Strike global Offensive and the only countries [3:47] this has happened in so far are Netherlands and Belgium to make a real difference to rid of loot boxes outright deliberations like these would have to [3:55] be made across a much wider spectrum of games across many more regions in the world this is a great start though it's the most tangible results we have gotten [4:04] on the matter since the battlefront to loot box controversy made waves across the gaming industry it hasn't even been a year since the controversy began and. - *Source:* [Valve Forced to Remove CS:GO Loot Boxes After Netherlands and Belgium Ruling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5P_eB7a32c) ## Belgian Gaming Commission paid loot boxes illegal gambling Valve Dota 2 CS:GO **Fact 1554:** In 2018, Belgium ruled loot boxes illegal gambling, imposing fines and prison for violators. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1555:** Valve disabled loot boxes in CS:GO, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 for Belgian users. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1556:** The Netherlands also initially banned loot boxes but later overturned its decision. - *Source:* Tavily AI Synthesis **Fact 1557:** ## Belgium 2018: How One Ruling Set the Loot-Box Frame The Belgian Gaming Commission published its research report “Research Report on Loot Boxes” in April 2018, addressed to Minister of Justice Koen Geens. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes 2026: 0.26% CS2 Knife Drop](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1558:** The report examined four games – FIFA 18 (FUT packs), Overwatch (loot crates), Star Wars Battlefront II (which had already pulled its monetization), and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (case openings) – and concluded that the paid loot box mechanics in three of them (FUT, Overwatch, CS:GO) violated Belgian gambling law. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes 2026: 0.26% CS2 Knife Drop](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1559:** The Belgian statute requires a license for any “game of chance” offered against payment with a prize of perceived or actual value, and the Commission held that all three loot box products satisfied the test. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes 2026: 0.26% CS2 Knife Drop](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1560:** [...] ### Why did Belgium ban loot boxes in 2018? The Belgian Gaming Commission ruled in April 2018 that paid loot boxes in FIFA 18, Overwatch, and CS:GO satisfied the Belgian Gaming Act definition of a game of chance (consideration, chance, prize of perceived value) and required a license that does not exist for video-game-embedded gambling. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes 2026: 0.26% CS2 Knife Drop](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1561:** Operators face fines up to €800,000 and prison exposure for executives. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes 2026: 0.26% CS2 Knife Drop](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1562:** Blizzard, Valve, and (after a standoff) EA disabled paid loot-box sales to Belgian users between mid-2018 and January 2019. ### Did the Netherlands ban loot boxes? [...] The legal split tracks the redemption path: mystery boxes are regulated as sweepstakes promotions in 48 US states with an Alternate Method of Entry buried in the terms; loot boxes are treated as in-app purchases governed by platform policy (Apple, Google, Steam) and age rating boards (ESRB, PEGI), with explicit gambling-law application only in Belgium since April 2018. Belgium criminalized paid loot boxes after an April 2018 Belgian Gaming Commission ruling on FIFA Ultimate Team, Overwatch, and CS:GO cases, with fines reaching €800,000 and prison exposure for executives of operators that kept selling them to Belgian residents. - *Source:* [Mystery Boxes vs Loot Boxes 2026: 0.26% CS2 Knife Drop](https://tech-insider.org/mystery-boxes/mystery-boxes-vs-loot-boxes) **Fact 1563:** ### Belgium: Criminal Exposure, Active Enforcement In April 2018, the Belgian Gaming Commission ruled that paid loot boxes containing tradeable virtual items constitute illegal gambling under the Belgian Gambling Act of 7 May 1999. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1564:** The consequences for non-compliant operators are not administrative — they are criminal. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1565:** Under Belgian law, studios and their responsible parties face fines of up to €800,000 and prison sentences of up to five years for operating unlicensed gambling products. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1566:** [...] Seven years later, Belgian enforcement is still active and its scope has expanded. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1567:** Apple, decided January 16, 2025 by the Antwerp Enterprise Court (18th Chamber), the court classified paid loot boxes in Top War: Battle Game as illegal games of chance under the Belgian Gambling Act. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1568:** The court applied all four statutory elements: game component, wagers, chance of winning or losing, and randomness — all satisfied. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1569:** More significantly, the court found that Apple facilitated access to unlawful gambling by hosting the game on the App Store. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1570:** Distribution platform liability — not just developer liability — is now a live theory in Belgian law. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1571:** [...] ## Belgium and the Netherlands: The Strictest Regulators No two European jurisdictions illustrate the range of possible regulatory outcomes better than Belgium and the Netherlands. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1572:** Both countries confronted the same industry at roughly the same time. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1573:** Belgium concluded that paid loot boxes with tradeable items are illegal gambling and has spent seven years enforcing that position with escalating consequences. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1574:** The Netherlands imposed a €10 million fine on EA, then watched its own highest court overturn it three years later. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1575:** A studio publishing to either market must understand both outcomes — and why compliance in one does not guarantee compliance in the other. ### Belgium: Criminal Exposure, Active Enforcement. - *Source:* [Loot Box Laws by Jurisdiction: What Game Studios Must ...](https://blog.promise.legal/loot-box-laws-game-developers) **Fact 1576:** In April 2018, shortly after the Netherlands' decision on loot boxes, the Belgian Gaming Commission completed its study of loot-box systems in four games, FIFA 18, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Star Wars Battlefront II, and determined that the loot-box systems in FIFA 18, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive were considered games of chance and subject to Belgium's gambling laws. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1577:** The Commission stated that for loot boxes in Overwatch, the action of opening a loot box is a game of chance to receive items of some perceived value to players, and there is no means to directly purchase in-game currency to obtain a specific item, while games like FIFA 18 merge reality and fantasy by using real-life athletes to promote the loot-box system. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1578:** Belgium's Minister of [...] The player reaction to Battlefront's loot-box system led to the Belgian Gambling Commission to evaluate the nature of loot boxes specifically in Battlefront. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1579:** In the United States, it generated legislative debates about a potential sales ban within Hawaii and some other US states. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1580:** EA has stated that they do not consider the approach of loot boxes in Battlefront as gambling, as it is strictly an optional feature. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1581:** The reaction and change to the loot box and monetisation scheme caused sales of Battlefront to fall from expectations, and EA's stock lost 8% of its value a week after the game's release (equal to about US$3 billion). - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1582:** Analysts expect that EA will have to re-evaluate how they monetise games in the future to avoid similar backlashes, which may further reduce future revenues. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1583:** In its [...] The authority gave the developers of the four unnamed games eight weeks to correct their loot-box system or face fines and potential bans on sales of the games in the Netherlands. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1584:** Valve disabled the ability for players to trade in-game items from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2, stating that they were told by the Dutch Gaming Authority that they had until June 20, 2018, to remedy the loot-box situations within these games. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1585:** On July 11, 2018, Valve re-enabled the ability for players to trade in-game items from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, but restricted customers from the Netherlands and Belgium from opening loot boxes. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1586:** EA had not modified FIFA, leading to the Gaming Authority to seek fines from EA. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1587:** EA had sued, but lost its case in October 2020, with the. - *Source:* [Loot box - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loot_box) **Fact 1588:** Belgium soon followed and declared that the penalty would be a fine AND potentially prison for those that violate the law: UK Gambling Authority and the US overall have lagged behind in their consideration of loot boxes as gambling. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1589:** Only the Washington Gambling Commission gave Valve a notice about them, and Valve responded by disabling external websites that used Steam API to gamble with Steam Marketables but stopped at that. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1590:** A case raised in US courts where Valve was named in the suit related to "illegal gambling" in CSGO was thrown out of court / did not proceed. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1591:** [...] Loot box bill introduced in Minnesota legislature: Its a good day where, finally, legislations around the world are seeing loot boxes for what they really are. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1592:** What took so long!? If one thing is clear from all of this, is that developers, publishers and storefronts cannot be trusted to have a fair, conscientous and morally minded limit with regards to predatory monetization in their games...even if they are PAID and not F2P. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1593:** Videos discussing the matter: Relevant Opinion Article (2/2018): Official Statement Belgian Gaming Commission: Google english translation: Official Statement Dutch Gaming Authority: [...] WELL... - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1594:** FINALLY, the gaming population at large has made their voices heard about these anticonsumer, predatory practices! After the fallout from EA's poorly conceived implementation of paid to win loot boxes tied to game progression on Star Wars Battlefront 2, a number of countries and governmental bodies / gambling authorities all over the world have begun to pay notice to said practice...and some are acting! Hawaii introduced several loot box related bills: Netherlands was the first country to classify certain loot boxes as gambling, and illegal. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1595:** They gave video game publishers a timeline to REMOVE illegal loot boxes by mid June 2018:. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=spanish&ctp=22) **Fact 1596:** [...] Try again, eventually you will get it right. #12 , panini sticker etc. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1597:** are illegal...even if they are exactly the same thing in packaging. #13 will face legal action per Dutch Gaming Authority. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1598:** Where CSGO, especifically, was found to be illegal gambling via its loot crates. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1599:** Things are looking up already! Legutóbb szerkesztette: BlackSpawn; 2018. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1600:** 26., 11:27 >;) 1–15/569 megjegyzés mutatása Oldalanként: 1530;) 50;) Összes téma > Steam fórumok > Steam Discussions > Téma részletei Közzétéve: 2018. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1601:** 26., 10:10 Hozzászólások: 569 Új téma nyitása Hozzászólási szabályok és irányelvek Bezár) ## Hozzászólás jelentése [...] Loot box bill introduced in Minnesota legislature: Its a good day where, finally, legislations around the world are seeing loot boxes for what they really are. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1602:** Videos discussing the matter: Relevant Opinion Article (2/2018): Official Statement Belgian Gaming Commission: Google english translation: Official Statement Dutch Gaming Authority:. - *Source:* [Loot Boxes deemed gambling and illegal in Belgium, Netherlands....go under intense scrutiny elsewhere! :: Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/1696045708644696959?l=hungarian) **Fact 1603:** In 2018, the Belgian Gambling Commission ruled that paid loot boxes fall under Belgian gambling law. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1604:** According to this broad Belgian gambling legislation, gambling occurs when there is a monetary stake in a game where the player can win or lose something, and the result is (partly) determined by chance. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1605:** Belgium is the only country in the world that considers paid loot boxes as a form of gambling, despite the fact that a player cannot legally convert virtual items from paid loot boxes into real world money and thus there is no monetary gain. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1606:** Video game companies wishing to continue offering paid loot boxes in Belgium can obtain a paid gambling license from the Gambling Commission, with a portion of the revenue from those loot boxes flowing to the Belgian treasury. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1607:** However, the major video [...] flowing to the Belgian treasury. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1608:** However, the major video game companies chose to disable paid loot boxes in our country. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1609:** This means that players in Belgium can only obtain loot boxes through free rewards or gameplay achievements – and cannot purchase them with real money or purchased virtual game coins, unless players bypass this illegally, for example, using a private internet connection (VPN). - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1610:** Some game companies still offer paid versions without a gambling license. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1611:** [...] The sector is working with the federal government and the Gambling Commission to determine the next steps in creating a clear, legally valid, and self-regulating framework for video game companies. ## 5. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1612:** What is skin gambling? Skin gambling is an illegal practice where virtual items, such as costumes (skins), are used for gambling or sold for real money on unregulated websites. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1613:** Skin gambling websites are not only prohibited by law, but video game companies also forbid any form of converting virtual items into real world money. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1614:** Game companies are asking the government and the Belgian Gambling Commission to help take down these websites. ## 6. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1615:** What tips are there for parents of children that play video games?. - *Source:* [The situation on loot boxes in video games in Belgium](https://vgfb.be/loot-boxes-in-belgium) **Fact 1616:** Legal commentators (for example, Dentons’ overview of loot box regulation in the EU) read this as a shift toward consumer-law enforcement at EU level. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes ...](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1617:** At the national level, approaches still differ, and companies that care about staying compliant across multiple markets simultaneously, such as Delasport, Soft2Bet, and others, switch features on or off per market under licence. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes ...](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1618:** In Belgium, the Gaming Commission’s 2018 report found that certain paid loot boxes met the definition of “games of chance” under the Belgian Gaming and Betting Act and, consequently, require a license to be offered; in practice, publishers either disabled the features locally or withdrew them. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes ...](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1619:** The gambling test asks whether there is a stake, an element of chance, and a prize with monetary value or transferability. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes ...](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1620:** The consumer-law test assesses whether prices are clearly stated in real money at the point of decision, whether virtual currencies or bundles result in leftover balances, and whether disclosures and controls are suitable for minors. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes ...](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1621:** For sources, refer to the Belgian Gaming Commission report (2018), the Dutch regulator’s loot box study (2018), and the EU CPC Key Principles/summary page. - *Source:* [From Valve to Soft2Bet: An Investigation into Loot Boxes ...](https://www.qualitativecriminology.com/from-valve-to-soft2bet-an-investigation-into-loot-boxes-video-game-compliance-and-igaming-regulation) **Fact 1622:** | Year | Jurisdiction / Actor | Action | --- | 2016 | Washington State | State gambling regulators sent cease-and-desist letters targeting third-party CS:GO skin-betting sites, pushing Valve to cut off the trading APIs some of those sites relied on | | 2017 | Hawaii and other US states | Lawmakers publicly criticized EA’s Star Wars Battlefront II loot box system, contributing to EA overhauling its progression and monetization model | | 2018 | Belgium | The Belgian Gaming Commission concluded that loot boxes in several major titles met the legal definition of gambling, prompting some publishers to remove them from the Belgian market | | 2018 | Netherlands | Dutch regulators opened a formal inquiry into loot box mechanics across a range of popular games | [...] ### Is buying Counter-Strike 2 cases illegal right now? No. - *Source:* [Valve Loot Box Lawsuit: NY Seeks 3x Damages [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-loot-box-gambling-lawsuit-new-york-2026) **Fact 1623:** The lawsuit is still pending and no court has ruled that the mechanic is illegal. - *Source:* [Valve Loot Box Lawsuit: NY Seeks 3x Damages [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-loot-box-gambling-lawsuit-new-york-2026) **Fact 1624:** Case openings and key purchases remain available on Steam while the motion to dismiss is under review. ### How does this compare to earlier loot box controversies? Earlier disputes, such as Belgium’s 2018 loot box ruling or the backlash against EA’s Star Wars Battlefront II in 2017, relied on gaming regulators or public pressure rather than a direct criminal and constitutional gambling lawsuit. - *Source:* [Valve Loot Box Lawsuit: NY Seeks 3x Damages [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-loot-box-gambling-lawsuit-new-york-2026) **Fact 1625:** New York’s case is more legally aggressive because it invokes gambling statutes typically used against unlicensed casinos. ### When will the case be decided? [...] Valve could preemptively adjust or geofence Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 case-opening mechanics for New York residents, mirroring how loot boxes are already restricted in Belgium, regardless of how the motion to dismiss is ultimately decided. - *Source:* [Valve Loot Box Lawsuit: NY Seeks 3x Damages [2026]](https://tech-insider.org/valve-loot-box-gambling-lawsuit-new-york-2026) **Fact 1626:** Since 2018, the Belgian Gaming Commission has effectively prohibited the inclusion of loot boxes in games by classifying them as gambling. - *Source:* [Another country imposes new restrictions on loot boxes ...](https://www.facebook.com/GameRant/posts/another-country-imposes-new-restrictions-on-loot-boxes-following-a-global-trend-/1367965461556459) **Fact 1627:** _Belgian gaming commission recommends criminal prosecution over illegal loot boxes_. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1628:** in a new window)(Open in a new window)Google Scholar u/crimsoncalamitas. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1629:** _Steam wallet funds to buy valve index [reddit post]_ R/ValveIndex. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1630:** www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/tza195/steam_wallet_funds_to_buy_valve_index/(open in a new window)(Open in a new window)Google Scholar u/Gortosan. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1631:** _Buy valve index hardware using the Steam Wallet? [reddit post]_ R/ValveIndex. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1632:** www.reddit.com/r/ValveIndex/comments/12olug7/buy_valve_index_hardware_using_the_steam_wallet/(open in a new window)(Open in a new window)Google Scholar [...] action across nearly all jurisdictions is that the gambling regulators do not possess the requisite specialist video game knowledge and tangible evidence to prosecute and lack the resources to obtain them, similarly to why the Belgian gambling regulator did not effectively enforce their loot box ‘ban’ (Xiao, Citation 2023b). - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1633:** The present study was conducted to detail illegal loot boxes (according to various gambling regulators’ previously published interpretations) on the Steam video game digital distribution platform operated by Valve, with the aim of providing a list of game titles and accompanying screenshot evidence for the regulators’ perusal and response and thereby supporting potential enforcement. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1634:** It is doubtless that this mechanic constitutes illegal gambling (as it is not known to have been duly licensed) under the various gambling regulators’ interpretations. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1635:** There is no practical difference between this mechanic and physical packs containing random cards in real-life that operate identically. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1636:** Those physical card packs also infringe gambling law but have not been enforced against (Xiao, Citation 2022a). - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1637:** The digital trading card packs of the Steam platform have again highlighted how gambling regulators have drawn an artificial distinction between video game loot boxes and physical card packs that cannot be justified on the face of the law as drafted. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827) **Fact 1638:** In 2018, a representative of the Belgian gambling regulator attempted to justify this distinction based. - *Source:* [Illegal video game loot boxes with transferable content on ...](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14459795.2024.2390827)