Steam · Steam Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Game Statistics and Content-Related Data Collection

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Steam collects detailed records of your gaming behavior — including every game you play, how long you play it, your progress, your device's unique identifiers, and crash reports — and links all of this to your Steam ID.

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 the operational basis for Steam's collection of activity data across user accounts and devices, enabling service delivery, performance monitoring, and technical diagnostics through comprehensive gameplay and device metrics.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Steam builds a comprehensive behavioral profile tied to your Steam ID, including detailed game playtime, progress, and device identifiers — this data can be used to infer sensitive personal attributes and may be shared with third-party developers and partners without granular notice.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Export Your Data
    Submit a data access request through Steam Support at https://help.steampowered.com/ to receive a copy of the game statistics and Content-Related Information Steam holds about you, including playtime and device data.

How other platforms handle this

Paramount+ Medium

"By clicking 'Next', you are indicating that you have read and agree to the TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY"

OpenAI Medium

We automatically collect certain information from your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Service, we collect information about the individual web pages or products th...

Microsoft Azure Medium

Location data. Data about your device's location, which can be either precise or imprecise. For example, we collect location data using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., GPS) and data about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. Location can also be inferred from a device's IP address...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
In order to provide you with services, we need to collect, store and use various information about your activity in our Content and Services. "Content-Related Information" includes your Steam ID, as well as what is usually referred to as "game statistics". By game statistics we mean information about your games' preferences, progress in the games, playtime, as well as information about the device you are using, including what operating system you are using, device settings, unique device identifiers, and crash data.

— Excerpt from Steam's Steam Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Collection of unique device identifiers and behavioral data tied to a persistent identifier engages GDPR Art. 4(1) (definition of personal data), Art. 5(1)(c) (data minimization), and Art. 6(1)(b)/(f) (lawful basis). Crash data may contain sensitive technical information. CCPA §1798.140(o) classifies device identifiers and browsing/gaming activity as 'personal information.' Children's game statistics may implicate COPPA (15 U.S.C. §6502) if minors under 13 are users. Enforcement: EU DPAs, FTC, CPPA.

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 children's gaming data practices under COPPA and general unfair data collection practices 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
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
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

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-002930
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-002930
Captured: 2026-04-18 10:57:26 UTC
SHA-256: 63210b28892392d9…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/steam/steam-privacy-policy/game-statistics-and-content-related-data-collection/
Accessed: June 17, 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 Game Statistics and Content-Related Data Collection clause do?

The provision establishes the operational basis for Steam's collection of activity data across user accounts and devices, enabling service delivery, performance monitoring, and technical diagnostics through comprehensive gameplay and device metrics.

How does this clause affect you?

Steam builds a comprehensive behavioral profile tied to your Steam ID, including detailed game playtime, progress, and device identifiers — this data can be used to infer sensitive personal attributes and may be shared with third-party developers and partners without granular notice.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Steam?

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