You cannot use any cheating software, bots, or unauthorized tools on Steam. If you do, Valve can immediately suspend or permanently ban your account — and you will lose all your games and purchases.
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
This clause establishes technical and behavioral requirements for account operation and protects the integrity of the Marketplace and game environments by restricting software and tools that circumvent or alter intended platform functionality. The provision grants Valve the authority to take account enforcement action when violations are detected.
The updated agreement no longer explicitly discloses that Steam Wallet funds held by Japanese users will expire six months after being added, or that expiration dates can be reviewed in the Steam Wallet. The removal of this disclosure eliminates the transparency mechanism previously available to Japanese subscribers regarding fund expiration timelines and monitoring options. Japanese law may still impose expiration requirements on stored funds regardless of contractual disclosure, but the agreement no longer notifies users of this expiration mechanism.
View change record →The removal of explicit anti-cheat and third-party software restrictions means these policies are no longer visible in the main agreement, though they may be enforced through other documents or the Rules of Use.
View full change record →Using any unauthorized third-party software — including tools that may be ambiguously classified as 'automation' — can result in immediate and permanent account termination with forfeiture of all purchased content and Steam Wallet funds.
How other platforms handle this
Discriminate regarding access to communities or groups that you create, manage, lead, or participate in.
You may not display any personal contact, banking, or peer-to-peer payment information, whether in relation to you or any other person (for example, names, home addresses or postcodes, telephone numbers, email addresses, URLs, credit/debit card...)
You agree that Promotional Codes: (a) must be used in a lawful manner; (b) must be used for the intended audience and purpose; (c) may not be duplicated, sold or transferred in any manner...
"You may not use cheats, automation software (bots), mods, hacks, or any other unauthorized third-party software, to modify or automate any Subscription Marketplace process. [...] Valve may immediately suspend or terminate your account if you use such software. [...] You agree that you will not use any form of third-party communication application when using Steam or playing games through Steam that enables features not permitted by Valve.Excerpt from Steam's Subscriber Agreement
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision engages the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) 18 U.S.C.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This clause establishes technical and behavioral requirements for account operation and protects the integrity of the Marketplace and game environments by restricting software and tools that circumvent or alter intended platform functionality. The provision grants Valve the authority to take account enforcement action when violations are detected.
Using any unauthorized third-party software — including tools that may be ambiguously classified as 'automation' — can result in immediate and permanent account termination with forfeiture of all purchased content and Steam Wallet funds.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 281 platforms. See the full comparison.
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