How do I make a complaint? :: Steam Discussions

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EvaPilot1 30 Aug @ 7:29am

How do I make a complaint?

Please stop. I logged in today to get some downloads going to find I had to prove my age and that half the games I was downloading no longer had store pages.

I do not know who to complain about it but, Steam, please, this is an intrusion into regular, normal life by the UK government and lawmakers and... Payment Processors? (excuse me? the only thing a payment processor should do is process payments, how am I supposed to opt out of a payment processor that objects to processing payments?)

Please, please, please, don't just accept this. I don't want to have to show ID every time I want to use the internet, I don't want to give my credit card details just to browse the store. I've had my account for like 15 years why am I being asked to prove my age now of all times?

I don't understand why this is all happening now, it's an obvious attempt for more control over normal people's freedoms. Please, please, please, please stop.

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Showing 1-13 of 13 comments

Mad Scientist 30 Aug @ 7:32am

Valve knows people are unhappy about the new law, but you'd file a complaint about the governments decision with your government.

WolfEisberg 30 Aug @ 7:32am

Its because of the law in the UK, Valve is forced to do this because of UK laws. The alternative to not following the law is they stop doing business in the UK.

bansama 30 Aug @ 7:35am

Originally posted by EvaPilot1:
I do not know who to complain

You local member of parliament would be the best place to start.

tgheretford 30 Aug @ 7:59am

Originally posted by bansama:
Originally posted by EvaPilot1:
I do not know who to complain

You local member of parliament would be the best place to start.

And Ofcom.

As far as I am aware, we are not legally compelled to have a credit card and this is discriminatory, potentially even in violation of the law in terms of over-censorship as there are provisions in the Online Safety Act for platforms to not restrict the freedoms of adults to use their services.

Last edited by tgheretford; 30 Aug @ 7:59am

Mad Scientist 30 Aug @ 8:01am

Originally posted by tgheretford:
Originally posted by bansama:

You local member of parliament would be the best place to start.
And Ofcom.

As far as I am aware, we are not legally compelled to have a credit card and this is discriminatory, potentially even in violation of the law in terms of over-censorship as there are provisions in the Online Safety Act for platforms to not restrict the freedoms of adults to use their services.

If you believe one law contradicts another law, contact your parliament.

dgresevfan 30 Aug @ 8:02am

But you don't need the store page to download something you already bought.

tgheretford 30 Aug @ 8:15am

Originally posted by dgresevfan:
But you don't need the store page to download something you already bought.

Which in itself is a violation of the law because the OSA requires services to verify the age of anyone using their service, including for downloading and playing games. Hence the rush for games to implement age verification. That also includes the Subscriber Agreement which requires anyone using Steam to be 13+. The other problem by banning at least a third of your UK adult audience from playing games, that too is also a violation of the law as the act also protects the ability for adults to access services they are legally entitled to.

I knew when the OSA was being debated, that it would be a mess and so it has come to pass. I believe it should be repealed but that's a distant hope.

asarokk 30 Aug @ 9:58am

It's hilarious you think a mere digital distributor has the power to stand up to government decisions. If Steam doesn't abide by the rules laid out for them, Steam will no longer have the license to access their markets.

Complain to your government.

Craig 30 Aug @ 10:00am

If y'all actually tried you can reach customer service. My grandma did it somehow. She got in contact with Valve over the phone to have her account deactivated and ensure her financial information was removed.

Nothing serious happened, she's just old and thinks that is how online services work. It blows my mind the only person I know that has ever reached Steam customer service directly was a boomer.

dgresevfan 30 Aug @ 10:01am

Originally posted by asarokk:
It's hilarious you think a mere digital distributor has the power to stand up to government decisions. If Steam doesn't abide by the rules laid out for them, Steam will no longer have the license to access their markets.

Complain to your government.

We have and they told us to sod off.

#10

asarokk 30 Aug @ 10:10am

Originally posted by dgresevfan:
Originally posted by asarokk:
It's hilarious you think a mere digital distributor has the power to stand up to government decisions. If Steam doesn't abide by the rules laid out for them, Steam will no longer have the license to access their markets.

Complain to your government.

We have and they told us to sod off.

Then take out your frustrations on your government, not Steam. They cant' do ♥♥♥♥ for you.

#11

EvaPilot1 30 Aug @ 12:48pm

Actually I really disagree about it being pointless to complain to Valve. They can take the collective complaints and have their own complaint. If Valve themselves aren't complaining about this they should be.

FURTHERMORE.
I don't think the removal of some games from the market has anything to do with the UK government, or any government, it's payment processors unlawfully dictating what you're allowed to spend money on. Something I wasn't aware that payment processors had any lawful say in.

My complaint is specifically about these 2 things at the same time and Valve very much has the right to protest and should be fighting very hard to not let happen. Considering they're coming for US markets next I'd assume customers and shareholders should be very concerned.

Last edited by EvaPilot1; 30 Aug @ 12:52pm

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