Business Steam rules updated to prohibit content that violates rules set forth by payment processors and banks - Valve's rules regarding what developers "shouldn't publish on Steam" have a new clause regarding standards set forth by payment processors.

https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-rules-updated-to-prohibit-content-that-violates-rules-set-forth-by-payment-processors-and-banks/

https://archive.ph/NXq04

Valve's rules regarding what developers "shouldn't publish on Steam" have a new clause regarding standards set forth by payment processors.

2025-07-16 17:17
Amber V



Valve has updated its rules regarding content that developers aren’t allowed to publish on Steam (as reported by Game*Spark [archive]). The “Rules and Guidelines” section of Steamworks Documentation now has an extra clause, and it suggests that publishers are required to comply with rules and standards set forth by various third parties involved in processing electronic payments. The rule seems to be predominantly related to adult content.

What you shouldn’t publish on Steam:
15. Content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam’s payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers. In particular, certain kinds of adult only content.

Prior to the update, the list included 14 clauses, prohibiting things like hate speech, malware, sexual content depicting real people and any form of exploitation of children. The new 15th clause suggests that Steam may additionally have to crack down on specific types of adult content in response to the requirements of payment processors and banks. There are currently no specific examples of what this may entail.

Update (2025/07/15 at 18:30 JST): According to SteamDB [wayback], a large number of games has been removed from the platform in the past 16 hours. Judging rom the list, it appears “sex simulator” type games with keywords such as “incest” and “slavery” make up the majority. There are some confusing cases like the removal of the Ace Attorney-inspired investigation game Trails of Innocence, although this could be a coincidental deletion.

On a related note, various video game and manga hosting platforms in Japan have in recent years run into trouble with payment processors and credit card networks. Due to certain content on the platforms going against the (often undisclosed) rules and standards of third parties handling payments, the platforms ended up without support for credit card payment. This has led to loss of revenue and even the closure of platforms like Manga Library Z. It is possible that Steam’s new rule is a means to prevent such complications from arising, however, as the specific “rules and standards” of the payment processors are also unclear, publishers might need to be extra cautious with releasing their games on the platform.

Related articles: “It’s a security hole that endangers democracy itself.” NieR creator speaks out against payment processors pressuring Japanese adult content platforms

Visa Japan’s CEO says disabling card payment for legal adult content is “necessary to protect the brand”

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Niche Gamer: Steam updates rules to comply with payment processor censorship (archive)
Wccftech: Steam Publishing Guidelines Updated With Clause Prohibiting Content That Violates Payment Processor and Bank Rules (archive)

Rock Paper Shotgun: Valve change Steam's rules to let banks and credit card firms prohibit "certain kinds of adult only content" (archive)

In particular, this could lead to a stifling of games that are in any way non-conforming, particularly given the current climate of repression in Valve's home country, the USA. I know about the rule change thanks to Youtuber and self-described former game developer NoahFuel Gaming, who has posted on Bluesky about the potential fallout for projects the banks and financial corporations consider "adult" because they deviate from reactionary framings of sex and gender. As the Youtuber writes: "Queer content gets flagged as 'explicit' even when it's PG. A trans dev making a personal story? 'Too controversial.' A surreal queer VN? 'Sexualized.' Financial deplatforming in action."

GamesRadar: Steam now prohibits games that violate the "rules and standards" of payment processors, banks, and more, and users are worried it might affect more than just "certain kinds of adult-only content" (archive)

"Yeah... this is something that looks innocuous at first glance but it's a trojan horse," another believes. "LGBTQ+ has a habit of being mysteriously flagged as 'adult only.'" On ResetEra, similar points are being shared, as one writes: "Today it's porn games, tomorrow any game with LGBTQ+ content because it ends up labelled as 'adult.'"

Notebookcheck: Steam tightens adult content rules after pressure from payment giants (archive)

As spotted [archive] by TheGamer, this triggered a mini-purge according to the Steam Database, with many problematic games such as "Incest Tales", "Wolf on Rail", "Sex Village", "Slave of the Police Officer", and many more, being delisted from the storefront.

GamingOnLinux: Valve gets pressured by payment processors with a new rule for game devs and various adult games removed (archive)

 

[Do Not Touch Me Pls]

Are you thinking of Tokyo Clanpool? That one is 100% Valve choosing to not permit it as it's available across the street on GOG (which is bound by pretty much the same payment processor fuckery as Steam now).

Honestly, between Clanpool and Neptunia, I think Neptunia is way more fanservice-y so I don't know why Valve singled it out specifically.

To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers 2 is another that got the ban hammer on all platforms. You can get it on Johren though.

No it's this one. I'm not kidding the Australian government straight-up banned it.

 

[Fcret]

No it's this one. Yes I'm not kidding the Australian government straight-up banned it.

Oh wow, especially since the soccer moms at the ESRB only rated it T lmao

 

[The Saltening]

i like how steam came and said "we didnt do this. the payment processors did. look at them not us"

which is a nice change from the usual "we have updated our guidelines"

someone finally pointing out who is actually doing this

 

[Tarlach]

Seen this making some rounds, so I'm posting it here for U.S users.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/401

This bill cracks down on behavior of payment processors, making it heavily penalized and unlawful to restrict payment processing and banking services to lawful businesses and products.


Template to send your local senators below, Find your senators here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

--Template--
Subject: Support for S.401 - Protecting Lawful Access to Financial Services Act

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to express my strong support for S.401, the Protecting Lawful Access to Financial Services Act. This legislation addresses a deeply concerning trend I’ve observed in recent years: the increasing willingness of financial institutions and payment processors, such as Visa and Mastercard, to act as de facto regulators by restricting access to financial services for individuals and businesses engaged in lawful commerce.

Time and time again, we've seen payment processors refuse service to creators, artists, and businesses simply because their products or services are viewed as controversial or "objectionable", even when no laws have been broken. Most recently, this has extended to the digital gaming space, where storefronts are being pressured to remove content that, while sometimes controversial, remains fully legal. This selective denial of service is often justified using vague and subjective terms like "reputational risk," but in practice it functions as a mechanism for enforcing arbitrary ideological standards.

These actions pose a direct threat to free expression and economic liberty. No unelected financial entity should have the power to dictate what legal goods and services the American public may access. This kind of financial gatekeeping chills speech, harms livelihoods, and undermines the very principles of due process and democratic accountability.

I respectfully urge you to support this bill and defend the right of all Americans to participate in the economy without fear of being blacklisted by private actors for engaging in lawful activity. This legislation is a critical step toward restoring fairness and neutrality to our financial system.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your City, State]
[Optional: Email / Phone Number]

 

[George Lucas]

It didn't happen yet and the bans are apparently in compliance to Australian (and possibly German/EU) laws, but trust me it will get petty really quickly if left unchecked with medium sized companies getting caught. If they can ban a Hunter x Hunter fighting game for "implied sexual violence against a minor" there is no guarantee that Senran Kagura will not be in the shit list.

For reference, this is what they are going for.

‘Just trust me bro.’

Shut the fuck up retard. Stop watching child porn. Seek Jesus Christ.

 

[Farmholio]

Seen this making some rounds, so I'm posting it here for U.S users.

I messaged my senator for whatever that's worth. This thing with Visa Mastercard censoring business arbitrarily, and kids accessing porn and being groomed on the web are the two issues I think have immediately palpable devastating consequences yet are easily fixed within our lifetimes, so I'm kind of obsessed with them.

 

[Fcret]

Seen this making some rounds, so I'm posting it here for U.S users.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/401

Yeah, I mailed a physical letter to my representative about it along with emailing him. New sponsors have been showing up recently so I wouldn't be surprised if it gets more traction.

 

[Tarlach]

Yeah, I mailed a physical letter to my representative about it along with emailing him. New sponsors have been showing up recently so I wouldn't be surprised if it gets more traction.

I messaged my senator for whatever that's worth. This thing with Visa Mastercard censoring business arbitrarily, and kids accessing porn and being groomed on the web are the two issues I think have immediately palpable devastating consequences yet are easily fixed within our lifetimes, so I'm kind of obsessed with them.

Incredibly based and certified king behavior. Make that fucking difference, lads.

 

[StMaryPiper]

Collective Shout, the group weaponizing payment processors, is pure insanity I haven’t seen since the days of SOPA or Metallica suing Napster. They’re going as far as to take down articles and fire journalists

 

[merpalerpaherp]

I'd be pretty against this if it was something else being targeted by banks instead of porn games so I think Steam should keep the games only purchasable by crypto. It makes them less likely to be bought by minors since the vast majority of crypto exchanges require ID verification instead of a steam card or the parents credit card bei left on the account.

 

[Do Not Touch Me Pls]

‘Just trust me bro.’

Shut the fuck up retard. Stop watching child porn. Seek Jesus Christ.

You do not get it. My point here is it has happened before, there is a successful precedent and if it isn't stopped or resisted it will keep happening again and again. They also have ways to hit international audiences as well.

This bill cracks down on behavior of payment processors, making it heavily penalized and unlawful to restrict payment processing and banking services to lawful businesses and products.

How will this bill interact with the Commonwealth states a couple of oceans away if it passes successfully? Because it's clear that the orders are not coming from USA they are coming out internationally from unelected bureaucrats.

 

[The Mass Shooter Ron Soye]

View attachment 7668566
Collective Shout, the group weaponizing payment processors, is pure insanity I haven’t seen since the days of SOPA or Metallica suing Napster. They’re going as far as to take down articles and fire journalists

Wow, I did not expect that when I quadruple archived those:

Vice: This VTuber Just Raised Over $780 for the ACLU. After Steam’s New Content Policies? Her Anti-Censorship Message Is Urgent (archive) (ghost) (mega) (wayback)
Vice: This Group Takes Responsibility for Steam’s Payment Processor Censorship Policies — They Just Implied ‘Pervert Nerds’ Cause Society’s Problems (archive) (ghost) (mega) (wayback)
Vice: Group Behind Steam Censorship Policies Have Powerful Allies — And Targeted Popular Games With Outlandish Claims (archive) (ghost) (mega) (wayback)

Oblig: Ana Valens / Anastasia Catherine Wythe / Phil Wythe / Philip Stephen Wythe / @SpaceDoctorPhD / @acvalens / @ac_valens

 

[George Lucas]

You do not get it. My point here is it has happened before, there is a successful precedent and if it isn't stopped or resisted it will keep happening again and again. They also have ways to hit international audiences as well.


How will this bill interact with the Commonwealth states a couple of oceans away if it passes successfully? Because it's clear that the orders are not coming from USA they are coming out internationally from unelected bureaucrats.

Nobody cares about Australia dude.

 

[Tarlach]

You do not get it. My point here is it has happened before, there is a successful precedent and if it isn't stopped or resisted it will keep happening again and again. They also have ways to hit international audiences as well.


How will this bill interact with the Commonwealth states a couple of oceans away if it passes successfully? Because it's clear that the orders are not coming from USA they are coming out internationally from unelected bureaucrats.

It is incredibly difficult and unbelievably expensive to gate systems by country in such a way that this would not have a rippling effect across the sea. Consider that if a customer from the U.S wants to buy from a foreign "shop" (to simplify it) that does business in the United States. That business should still possibly have legal protections under the change of law, making it possible that this law would make it unrealistic and difficult for foreign businesses to continue to be subjected to this behavior, as this game of kit picking becomes so tedious that it borderlines on impossible for the payment processor to sustainably enforce. Remember, global systems are designed for consistency and scale, not patchwork enforcement.

I believe we have seen this before, an instance where picking and choosing what to block, based on complex international user-merchant combinations, becomes so cumbersome that it's often abandoned for simpler, compliant policies across the board.

 

[Farmholio]

How will this bill interact with the Commonwealth states a couple of oceans away if it passes successfully? Because it's clear that the orders are not coming from USA they are coming out internationally from unelected bureaucrats.

S.401 - Fair Access to Banking Act said:​

(b) Prohibition.—No payment card network, including a subsidiary of a payment card network, may, directly or through any agent, processor, or licensed member of the network, by contract, requirement, condition, penalty, or otherwise, prohibit or inhibit the ability of any person who is in compliance with the law, including section 8 of this Act, to obtain access to services or products of the payment card network because of political or reputational risk considerations.

It won't help you from censorship if you're doing business exclusively in Australia or something I guess, but if you're doing business in the US, then Visa Mastercard or Paypal or Stripe or whoever can't just cut you off because they get a bad feel about you, or indeed for any reason whatsoever short of the US government telling them so. It will make it so you can send regular US dollars to Null's paypal for any reason that isn't being actively stopped by a court order.

 

[Tarlach]

It won't help you from censorship if you're doing business exclusively in Australia or something I guess, but if you're doing business in the US, then Visa Mastercard or Paypal or Stripe or whoever can't just cut you off because they get a bad feel about you, or indeed for any reason whatsoever short of the US government telling them so. It will make it so you can send regular US dollars to Null's paypal for any reason that isn't being actively stopped by a court order.

Correct. Paypal is a payment processor, they would likely be forced to unban many users if this went through.

 

[Fcret]

View attachment 7668566
Collective Shout, the group weaponizing payment processors, is pure insanity I haven’t seen since the days of SOPA or Metallica suing Napster. They’re going as far as to take down articles and fire journalists

I never thought I'd see the day where the troon + furry + anime chud tripartite pact would emerge and yet here we are.

EDIT: Just as I comment, another removal has allegedly happened

(original xeet)

If true, then slippery slope chads have won again.

 

[Do Not Touch Me Pls]

I never thought I'd see the day where the troon + furry + anime chud tripartite pact would emerge and yet here we are.

EDIT: Just as I comment, another removal has allegedly happened
View attachment 7668710
(original xeet)

If true, then slippery slope chads have won again.

Can confirm the removal is true. You can still download the original game from their own site though (also easy to find through a search engine + free)

EDIT: The Multiplayer and Reborn version is somehow perfectly fine. For now

Collective Shout, the group weaponizing payment processors, is pure insanity I haven’t seen since the days of SOPA or Metallica suing Napster. They’re going as far as to take down articles and fire journalists

It's the Australian Government. Insanity is a given.

 

[I'mma real anime gurl]

Payment Processors should be shot.

 

[OTView]

I never thought I'd see the day where the troon + furry + anime chud tripartite pact would emerge and yet here we are.

EDIT: Just as I comment, another removal has allegedly happened
View attachment 7668710
(original xeet)

If true, then slippery slope chads have won again.

If that's referring to the "remastered" version, that was apparenly taken for down for other reasons

https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1m3iub5/apparently_scp_containment_breach_got_removed/

"the game was "fake". Claimed to be a remaster, but was just a copy of an older version that wasn't even up to date.
Devs were also not the real devs of Scp Containment Breach(they pretty much just took the games from the website and posted it on steam without asking the real devs)
The real dev asked them to take it down and they did it."

https://www.reddit.com/r/scpcontainmentbreach/comments/1jt60mq/scp_containment_breach_remastered_is_no_more_got/

"It was a repost of our game. Hunter took it off Steam after I asked them to remove it. They kindly followed through with it."

https://steamcommunity.com/app/2090230/discussions/0/598523295548072841/#c598529977568219012

"It was removed from the steam store due to a DMCA takedown. Game builds are always reviewed by Steam staff beforehand."