Steam uses cookies, web beacons, pixels, ad tags, and device identifiers to track how you use the platform and to support marketing and analytics.
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
Tracking technologies extend beyond basic cookies to include ad tags and device identifiers, enabling cross-context behavioral tracking that may be used for marketing purposes in addition to operational analytics.
Interpretive note: The policy does not specify whether consent is obtained before non-essential tracking technologies are deployed, which is material to GDPR and ePrivacy Directive compliance assessment.
Provision renamed from "Tracking Data, Cookies, and Behavioral Data Collection" to "Cookie and Behavioral Tracking" with severity reduced from high to medium.
View full change record →Steam deploys a range of tracking technologies including web beacons, pixels, and ad tags that go beyond simple session cookies, enabling behavioral profiling for marketing purposes. You can manage optional cookies through the Cookie Settings page at store.steampowered.com/account/cookiepreferences/.
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If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.
When you are asked to provide information, you may decline to do so; but if you choose not to provide information that is necessary to provide some of our Services, you may not be able to use those Services.
to object to profiling activities based on our own legitimate interests
"We use "Cookies", which are text files placed on your computer, and similar technologies (e.g. web beacons, pixels, ad tags and device identifiers) to help us analyze how users use our services, as well as to improve the services we are offering, to improve marketing, analytics or website functionality. The use of Cookies is standard on the internet. Although most web browsers automatically accept cookies, the decision of whether to accept or not is yours. You may adjust your browser settings to prevent the reception of cookies, or to provide notification whenever a cookie is sent to you.Excerpt from Steam's Privacy Policy
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Use of cookies and similar tracking technologies for marketing and analytics engages the EU ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law) and its national implementations, GDPR consent requirements for non-essential cookies, and CCPA requirements regarding …
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Ad personalization controls removed. Contact scanning added. Advertiser data partnerships quietly dropped. A timeline of every change.
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Tracking technologies extend beyond basic cookies to include ad tags and device identifiers, enabling cross-context behavioral tracking that may be used for marketing purposes in addition to operational analytics.
Steam deploys a range of tracking technologies including web beacons, pixels, and ad tags that go beyond simple session cookies, enabling behavioral profiling for marketing purposes. You can manage optional cookies through the Cookie Settings page at store.steampowered.com/account/cookiepreferences/.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 289 platforms. See the full comparison.
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