Steam assigns every user a permanent Steam ID at account creation but does not require real name verification, meaning minors can create accounts without triggering age-specific data protections unless Steam implements separate age-verification measures.
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
The provision specifies the minimum data collection requirements necessary to establish account functionality and defines the identifier system used to manage user accounts without storing personally identifying information in the reference field itself.
The removal of provisions addressing minors' data protection and age restrictions eliminates specific safeguards for children's data, which is a high-severity omission under privacy regulations like COPPA and GDPR.
View full change record →Because Steam does not require real name or age verification at account setup, minors may be using the platform without triggering COPPA protections — meaning their game statistics, device identifiers, and behavioral data may be collected and shared with third parties without parental consent.
How other platforms handle this
Our platform is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in certain jurisdictions) without verifiable parental consent. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a child under the applicable age without parental consent, we will take steps to delete such d...
Uber's services are not directed to children under the age of 18. Uber does not knowingly collect personal data from children. If Uber learns that it has collected personal data from a child under 18, it will take steps to delete that data.
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Steam has changed this document before.
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"When setting up an Account, Valve will collect your email address and country of residence. You are also required to choose a user name and a password. The provision of this information is necessary to register a Steam User Account. During setup of your account, the account is automatically assigned a number (the "Steam ID") that is later used to reference your user account without directly exposing Personally Identifying Information about you. We do not require you to provide or use your real name for the setup of a Steam User Account.— Excerpt from Steam's Steam Privacy Policy
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: COPPA (15 U.S.C. §6501 et seq.) requires verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 in the US. GDPR Art. 8 requires member state minimum age for digital service consent (typically 13-16 depending on jurisdiction). UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) requires age-appropriate data protection for users likely to be under 18. FTC enforces COPPA; ICO enforces UK Children's Code; EU DPAs enforce GDPR Art. 8.
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The provision specifies the minimum data collection requirements necessary to establish account functionality and defines the identifier system used to manage user accounts without storing personally identifying information in the reference field itself.
Because Steam does not require real name or age verification at account setup, minors may be using the platform without triggering COPPA protections — meaning their game statistics, device identifiers, and behavioral data may be collected and shared with third parties without parental consent.
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