When you buy a game or other digital content on Steam, you are purchasing a license to access it, not permanent ownership. Valve can revoke that license if your account is suspended or terminated.
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 means your entire Steam game library could become inaccessible if Valve terminates your account, regardless of how much money you have spent.
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 account termination and content revocation language was separated into its own provision, and the word 'Your' was changed to lowercase 'Your' in the excerpt.
View full change record →Subscribers who lose account access, whether due to a conduct violation, account compromise, or Valve's decision, may permanently lose access to all purchased digital content with no guaranteed compensation.
How other platforms handle this
we may closely review accounts that offer the following services, products, or content: Online trading, day trading tips, and stock market related content
Paid Subscribers can select whether Content is public or private.
If Your Content is prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction where our Services are available, we may remove it even if it is not illegal in your location.
"Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a limited, terminable, non-exclusive license and right to use the Software for your personal, non-commercial use (the "License"). The Software is licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Software.Excerpt from Steam's Subscriber Agreement
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The license-not-ownership model for digital goods engages the EU Digital Content Directive (2019/770), which imposes conformity obligations and consumer remedies that may limit Valve's ability to revoke access without remedy for EU subscribers.
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This means your entire Steam game library could become inaccessible if Valve terminates your account, regardless of how much money you have spent.
Subscribers who lose account access, whether due to a conduct violation, account compromise, or Valve's decision, may permanently lose access to all purchased digital content with no guaranteed compensation.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 262 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Steam.