Steam · Steam Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Anonymous Data Sharing Without Retention Limit

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Steam processes anonymous data about your habits, usage patterns, and demographics — both individually and in groups — and can share this with third parties indefinitely, with no stated limit on who receives it or what they do with it.

This analysis describes what Steam's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The provision establishes a data processing framework that allows collection and distribution of anonymized analytics to external parties. The absence of specified retention limits means anonymous data may be retained and shared indefinitely under this authorization.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Your usage patterns and demographic data are shared with unspecified third parties in allegedly anonymous form, with no stated deletion schedule or restriction on recipients — and modern re-identification techniques mean 'anonymous' data from a platform this large carries real re-identification risk.

How other platforms handle this

MetaMask Medium

We may share your personal information with our affiliates, meaning entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with Consensys. We also share information with service providers who assist in operating our services, subject to confidentiality obligations.

Ledger Medium

At Ledger, earning and maintaining our users' trust is a top priority. That's why we are deeply committed not only to protecting your privacy and securing your personal data, but also to being fully transparent about how we handle it.

Target Medium

Loyalty and partner program companies. We share information with our loyalty and partner program companies, like Ulta Beauty and Marriott.

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Valve also processes anonymous data, aggregated or not, to analyze and produce statistics related to the habits, usage patterns, and demographics of customers as a group or as individuals. Such anonymous data does not allow the identification of the customers to which it relates. Valve may share anonymous data, aggregated or not, with third parties.

— Excerpt from Steam's Steam Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: GDPR Recital 26 and Article 29 WP Opinion 05/2014 on anonymization techniques establish that data is only truly anonymous if re-identification is not 'reasonably likely' — a standard that is increasingly difficult to meet with large-scale behavioral datasets. CCPA §1798.145(a)(5) requires that deidentified data must be protected by reasonable safeguards and contractual prohibitions on re-identification. FTC Act Section 5 applies to deceptive anonymization claims that cannot withstand technical scrutiny.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over deceptive anonymization claims and unfair data sharing with third parties where re-identification risk exists, under FTC Act Section 5.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
COPPA
United States Federal
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US
VPPA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Steam Privacy Policy
Entity
Steam
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 18, 2026
Last verified
April 18, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002935
Document ID
CA-D-00182
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
63210b28892392d9dae07097221e6ab8458f850d4edd68ce4be0bc540f120bb5
Analysis generated
April 18, 2026 10:57 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Steam
Document: Steam Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002935
Captured: 2026-04-18 10:57:26 UTC
SHA-256: 63210b28892392d9…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/steam/steam-privacy-policy/anonymous-data-sharing-without-retention-limit/
Accessed: June 18, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Steam's Anonymous Data Sharing Without Retention Limit clause do?

The provision establishes a data processing framework that allows collection and distribution of anonymized analytics to external parties. The absence of specified retention limits means anonymous data may be retained and shared indefinitely under this authorization.

How does this clause affect you?

Your usage patterns and demographic data are shared with unspecified third parties in allegedly anonymous form, with no stated deletion schedule or restriction on recipients — and modern re-identification techniques mean 'anonymous' data from a platform this large carries real re-identification risk.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Steam?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Steam.