Valve now censoring Pirate Bay links in Steam chat client

qubit · Apr 7, 2016

The user who posted the links doesn't even get a warning that this has happened, either. The recipient sees the blocked message below. Other sites are blocked too.

Can't say I agree with this kind of censorship with some for-profit company acting as judge and jury over what's supposedly right and wrong, with the decision ultimately taken to protect those profits at the expense of its customers.

Steam users who want to share a link to The Pirate Bay from the built-in chat client will be disappointed, as mentions of the popular torrent site are being censored. Links to various torrent and file-sharing sites are actively stripped from discussions, presumably because Valve doesn't appreciate some of the content that's shared through the site.

https://torrentfreak.com/steam-censors-pirate-bay-links-in-chat-client-160406

EDIT 09APR16

There's a related article on TF now which is relevant to this thread.

https://torrentfreak.com/linking-to-pirated-content-is-not-copyright-infringement-160407

rtwjunkie · Apr 7, 2016

I voted in favor of Steam. It's a private, for profit site. They can make any rules they want.

The whole issue is no different than this very site, TPU, which is also private, and for profit. W1z makes the rules of what can be said or posted or linked.

Kursah · Apr 7, 2016

Well if they go hardline on all torrent links it keeps them out of any possible lawsuits...people and companirs sue and win over stupid shit daily.

Playing C.Y.A. isn't a bad thing. There's other methods of sharing such links and can't say I've really ever relied on Steam chat much anyways so it really doesn't affect me.

Someone that uses Steam Chat a lot may or may not be affected. Regardless of what we agree on I'm sure Steam has us by the balls with QoS and account agreements in this one.

Can't say that I blame them in the end...to me it seems pretty minor overall and just a stunt to keep the lawsuit hounds from trying to get Valve on anything considered supporting or sharing links. Too bad they didnt give the finger to the man tho...

I gotta agree with RTW...I agree they can do this and have the right to.

little cat · Apr 7, 2016

Just $5 for a game ! What more do people want ? The game is labor which must be paid for - so simple . If a person is stealing others labor , his/her labor should be stolen as well

OneMoar · Apr 7, 2016

they been doing this for ages nothing new
nobody with any sense relies on thepiratebay anymore

dirtyferret · Apr 7, 2016

rtwjunkie said:
I voted in favor of Steam. It's a private, for profit site. They can make any rules they want.

The whole issue is no different than this very site, TPU, which is also private, and for profit. W1z makes the rules of what can be said or posted or linked.

little cat said:
Just $5 for a game ! What more do people want ? The game is labor which must be paid for - so simple . If a person is stealing others labor , his/her labor should be stolen as well

x 10, pirating is not a right if fact you are stealing someone's IP

OneMoar · Apr 7, 2016

dirtyferret said:
x 10, pirating is not a right if fact you are stealing someone's IP

imaginary property ftw

dirtyferret · Apr 7, 2016

OneMoar said:
imaginary property ftw

until you enter a court of law

Jetster · Apr 7, 2016

IF you posted a PB links here you would get censored also

erocker · Apr 7, 2016

Me agreeing or disagreeing with Valve is irrelevant. They own the service and it is their right, protected by law to do as they please with their service.

qubit · Apr 7, 2016

Crikey, most people agree with Valve. I guess I'm outnumbered!

Mussels · Apr 7, 2016

its valves system, they can allow or disallow what they want.

just like TPU does.

Maban · Apr 7, 2016

I changed my vote from no to other. I dislike that there is any type of censorship in a private chat but if such a link is to something illegal I can't really say it's wrong.

It does censor some things that it has no business censoring though, such as some porn sites. There should at the very most be a voluntary filter option and/or an age check.

Mussels · Apr 7, 2016

if people wanna talk about big ol titties, i'm sure they can find somewhere other than steam to do it

Shou Miko · Apr 7, 2016

little cat said:
Just $5 for a game ! What more do people want ? The game is labor which must be paid for - so simple . If a person is stealing others labor , his/her labor should be stolen as well

Labor and profit yes but that doesn't mean that u need to buy from €68 to €100 and more depending on the game and some of them u can only buy on steam not in a psychical store bcs they r online releases only.

It bothers me a lot the rules steam has if u buy it on steam and ur account get hacked they won't return the game to ur account, but if u buy a psychical copy they will give u the game back.

I don't want to buy these prices for that when u can get a PS4 or Xbox One game from €47 to like €68 and u get a physical copy of the game.

The prices needs to be lowered bcs this here is going over the edge bcs I think it most be cheaper having a digital version of the game stored on servers to be downloaded than u need to press out covers, plastic boxes and more paper to go instead plus the disc sadly this isn't the world I see 9 out of 10 times.

Ebo · Apr 7, 2016

#15

Some of the way I totally agree with you, but not all the way. Today the digital copy is at the forfront over the fysical copy, lets face it. What Steam does regarding their rules thats something else, if they dont wanna be a platform, for sharing links to pirated software of any kind, they are in their right to do so and I totally agree with that.

The way I read your post is that you think a digital copy should be cheaper than a fisical copy, I just have to ask why ?, the product is still the same, meaning the game, it dosent really mean anything is you have it in your hand or you just DL it, but that only my opinion.

Sir B. Fannybottom · Apr 7, 2016

Yeah, I really don't see how this is surprising to anyone, they own the system and they can do whatever they want with it. Steam is in the business of selling video games, I don't see why they would want people talking about ways to get those games for free

Shou Miko · Apr 7, 2016

Ebo said:
#15

Some of the way I totally agree with you, but not all the way. Today the digital copy is at the forfront over the fysical copy, lets face it. What Steam does regarding their rules thats something else, if they dont wanna be a platform, for sharing links to pirated software of any kind, they are in their right to do so and I totally agree with that.

The way I read your post is that you think a digital copy should be cheaper than a fisical copy, I just have to ask why ?, the product is still the same, meaning the game, it dosent really mean anything is you have it in your hand or you just DL it, but that only my opinion.

I mean the cost for printing all the stuff u get psychically is like it cost nuth to give u, bcs looking at steam it's like they charge u more to have the game stored on their servers than u actually can buy it and get a ton of things with u that u get on a "normal" digital release like the game.

I short I mean it's created digitally so it should also be cheaper to have stored digitally, rather than getting pressed on to one or five dvd's u can buy and than not use anyway.

Mussels · Apr 7, 2016

guys, the word you need is PHYSICAL. Psychic and fiscal games just dont have the resell values.

Jetster · Apr 7, 2016

Mussels said:
guys, the word you need is PHYSICAL. Psychic and fiscal games just dont have the resell values.

My ex use to play Psychic games

silentbogo · Apr 7, 2016

qubit said:
The user who posted the links doesn't even get a warning that this has happened, either. The recipient sees the blocked message below. Other sites are blocked too.

Can't say I agree with this kind of censorship with some for-profit company acting as judge and jury over what's supposedly right and wrong, with the decision ultimately taken to protect those profits at the expense of its customers.

I am a TPB user for almost 10 years, but I still voted "Yes".
There are at least few reasons:
1) Subscriber Agreement section 2.G
2) Subscriber Agreement section 6 (especially pay attention to paragraph 2)

If you are worried that automatic chat censorship infringes your privacy, or something:
3) Privacy Policy, section Chats Forums etc.

All available in your Steam client through the Help menu.

To recompile it all in a short sentence: You are using steam service on their terms, and you gave them the right to modify your content (including chats and forum posts).

I used to download games off TPB some time ago, because game demos almost disappeared from Steam, but today I simply prefer to wait at least 6 months after release to see some solid reviews/feedback and gameplay videos (and to avoid trojan-infused ISOs). Now I simply download few of my favorite TV shows in English, due to low-quality translation on local networks (though almost everything is available for free through legit streaming services and IPTV).

Caring1 · Apr 7, 2016

Jetster said:
My ex use to play Psychic games

Don't you mean Psycho?
I think all ex's play that game.

FreedomEclipse · Apr 7, 2016

Didnt valve do something similar to this a few years back? I remember there being a major uproar about a similar thing

Steve-007UK · Apr 7, 2016

Fair play to valve i would do the same if it was my service and if people don't like it tough shit.

qubit · Apr 7, 2016

animal007uk said:
Fair play to valve i would do the same if it was my service and if people don't like it tough shit.

They can only get away with a user unfriendly "tough shit" attitude like that because they're the dominant platform.

System Name	Quantumville™
Processor	Intel Core i7-2700K @ 4GHz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Cooling	Noctua NH-D14
Memory	16GB (2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance Black DDR3 PC3-12800 C9 1600MHz)
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2080 SUPER Gaming X Trio
Storage	Samsung 850 Pro 256GB \| WD Black 4TB \| WD Blue 6TB
Display(s)	ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR (4K, 144Hz, G-SYNC compatible) \| Asus MG28UQ (4K, 60Hz, FreeSync compatible)
Case	Cooler Master HAF 922
Audio Device(s)	Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty PCIe
Power Supply	Corsair AX1600i
Mouse	Microsoft Intellimouse Pro - Black Shadow
Keyboard	Yes
Software	Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

System Name	Bayou Phantom
Processor	Core i7-8700k 4.4Ghz @ 1.18v
Motherboard	ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 6
Cooling	All air: 2x140mm Fractal exhaust; 3x 140mm Cougar Intake; Enermax T40F Black CPU cooler
Memory	2x 16GB Mushkin Redline DDR-4 3200
Video Card(s)	EVGA RTX 2080 Ti Xc
Storage	1x 500 MX500 SSD; 2x 6TB WD Black; 1x 4TB WD Black; 1x400GB VelRptr; 1x 4TB WD Blue storage (eSATA)
Display(s)	HP 27q 27" IPS @ 2560 x 1440
Case	Fractal Design Define R4 Black w/Titanium front -windowed
Audio Device(s)	Soundblaster Z
Power Supply	Seasonic X-850
Mouse	Coolermaster Sentinel III (large palm grip!)
Keyboard	Logitech G610 Orion mechanical (Cherry Brown switches)
Software	Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Start10 & Fences 3.0 installed)

System Name	Kursah's Gaming Rig 2018 (2022 Upgrade) - Ryzen+ Edition \| Gaming Laptop (Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 2022)
Processor	R7 5800X @ Stock \| i7 12700H @ Stock
Motherboard	Asus ROG Strix X370-F Gaming BIOS 6203\| Legion 5i Pro NM-E231
Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S Push-Pull + NT-H1 \| Stock Cooling
Memory	TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32GB (2x16) DDR4 4000 @ 3600 18-20-20-42 1.35v \| 32GB DDR5 4800 (2x16)
Video Card(s)	Palit GeForce RTX 4070 JetStream 12GB \| CPU-based Intel Iris XE + RTX 3070 8GB 150W
Storage	4TB SP UD90 NVME, 960GB SATA SSD, 2TB HDD \| 1TB Samsung OEM NVME SSD + 4TB Crucial P3 Plus NVME SSD
Display(s)	Acer 28" 4K VG280K x2 \| 16" 2560x1600 built-in
Case	Corsair 600C - Stock Fans on Low \| Stock Metal/Plastic
Audio Device(s)	Aune T1 mk1 > AKG K553 Pro + JVC HA-RX 700 (Equalizer APO + PeaceUI) \| Bluetooth Earbuds (BX29)
Power Supply	EVGA 750G2 Modular + APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 \| 300W OEM (heavy use) or Lenovo Legion C135W GAN (light)
Mouse	Logitech G502 \| Logitech M330
Keyboard	HyperX Alloy Core RGB \| Built in Keyboard (Lenovo laptop KB FTW)
Software	Windows 11 Pro x64 \| Windows 11 Home x64

System Name	RPC MK2.5
Processor	Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard	Gigabyte Aorus Pro V2
Cooling	Enermax ETX-T50RGB
Memory	CL16 BL2K16G36C16U4RL 3600 1:1 micron e-die
Video Card(s)	GIGABYTE RTX 3070 Ti GAMING OC
Storage	ADATA SX8200PRO NVME 512GB, Intel 545s 500GBSSD, ADATA SU800 SSD, 3TB Spinner
Display(s)	LG Ultra Gear 32 1440p 165hz Dell 1440p 75hz
Case	Phanteks P300 /w 300A front panel conversion
Audio Device(s)	onboard
Power Supply	SeaSonic Focus+ Platinum 750W
Mouse	Kone burst Pro
Keyboard	EVGA Z15
Software	Windows 11 +startisallback

Processor	faster at instructions than yours
Motherboard	more nurturing than yours
Cooling	frostier than yours
Memory	superior scheduling & haphazardly entry than yours
Video Card(s)	better rasterization than yours
Storage	more ample than yours
Display(s)	increased pixels than yours
Case	fancier than yours
Audio Device(s)	further audible than yours
Power Supply	additional amps x volts than yours
Mouse	without as much gnawing as yours
Keyboard	less clicky than yours
VR HMD	not as odd looking as yours
Software	extra mushier than yours
Benchmark Scores	up yours

System Name	Juliette // HTPC
Processor	Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock
Memory	Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600
Video Card(s)	ASUS RTX4070 OC// GTX 1650
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD
Display(s)	ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series
Case	Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05
Audio Device(s)	Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar
Power Supply	Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M
Mouse	Cooler Master MM710 53G
Keyboard	Logitech 920-009300 G512 SE
Software	Windows 10 Pro // Windows 10 Pro

Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	ASUS TUF x670e
Cooling	EK AIO 360. Phantek T30 fans.
Memory	32GB G.Skill 6000Mhz
Video Card(s)	Asus RTX 4090
Storage	WD m.2
Display(s)	LG C2 Evo OLED 42"
Case	Lian Li PC 011 Dynamic Evo
Audio Device(s)	Topping E70 DAC, SMSL SP200 Headphone Amp.
Power Supply	FSP Hydro Ti PRO 1000W
Mouse	Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Keyboard	Tester84
Software	Windows 11

System Name	Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor	Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard	Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling	Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory	2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s)	Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage	2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s)	Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) \| Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) \| Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case	Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G560 \| Corsair Void pro RGB \|Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply	Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse	Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores	Nyooom.

System Name	Lynni PS \ Lenowo TwinkPad L14 G2
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7700 Raphael \ i5-1135G7 Tiger Lake-U
Motherboard	ASRock B650M PG Riptide Bios v. 2.02 AMD AGESA 1.1.0.0 \ Lenowo BDPLANAR Bios 1.68
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black (Only middle fan) \ Lenowo C-267C-2
Memory	G.Skill Flare X5 2x16GB DDR5 6000MHZ CL36-36-36-96 AMD EXPO \ Willk Elektronik 2x16GB 2666MHZ CL17
Video Card(s)	Asus GeForce RTX™ 4070 Dual OC GPU: 2325-2355 MEM: 1462\| Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Storage	Gigabyte M30 1TB\|Sabrent Rocket 2TB\| HDD: 10TB\|1TB \ WD RED SN700 1TB
Display(s)	LG UltraGear 27GP850-B 1440p@165Hz \| LG 48CX OLED 4K HDR \| Innolux 14" 1080p
Case	Asus Prime AP201 White Mesh \| Lenowo L14 G2 chassis
Audio Device(s)	Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless
Power Supply	Be Quiet! Pure Power 12 M 750W Goldie \| 65W
Mouse	Logitech G305 Lightspeedy Wireless \| Lenowo TouchPad & Logitech G305
Keyboard	Akko 3108 DS Horizon V2 Cream Yellow \| L14 G2 UK Lumi
Software	Win11 Pro 23H2 UK
Benchmark Scores	3DMARK: https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/89434432? GPU-Z: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/details/v3zbr

System Name	the little fart
Processor	AMD Ryzen 2600X
Motherboard	MSI x470 gaming plus
Cooling	Noctua NH-C14S
Memory	16 GB G.Skill Ripjaw 2400Mhz DDR 4
Video Card(s)	Sapphire RX Vega 56 Pulse
Storage	1 Crucial MX100 512GB SSD,1 Crucial MX500 2TB SSD, 1 1,5TB WD Black Caviar, 1 4TB WD RED HD
Display(s)	IIyama XUB2792QSU IPS 2560x1440
Case	White Lian-Li PC-011 Dynamic
Audio Device(s)	Asus Xonar SE pci-e card
Power Supply	Thermaltake DPS G 1050 watt Digital PSU
Mouse	Steelseries Sensei
Keyboard	Corsair K70
Software	windows 10 64 pro bit

System Name	The SwagMachine / The Sister
Processor	Core i5 3570K @5.2ghz 1.3V/ 1100T
Motherboard	ASUS P8Z77-V / ASUS M5A99X EVO
Cooling	Phanteks PH TC14PE / Corsair H40
Memory	M379B5273DH0-YK0 2X4GB + PVI316G213C1QK 2X4GB / 2x4GB Patriot 2133
Video Card(s)	PNY 780Ti /Windforce 7950
Storage	2xSamsung 840 EVO 250gb+WD10EZEX + WD30EZRX/ 1x WD1500 Black
Display(s)	AOC Q2963PM+Acer S200HL / Acer S200L+ LG 22LD350
Case	Fractal Define R4 / NZXT Trinity
Audio Device(s)	Asus Xonar DG / Asus Xonar DG
Power Supply	Seasonic 750X / ROSEWILL RG630-S12 630W R
Mouse	Razer Deathadder Chroma / Roccat Kone+
Keyboard	Razer Blackwidow 2013 Stealth / Roccat Isku
Software	Windows 8.1 Pro / Windows 7 Ultimate
Benchmark Scores	one time I scored a 3 on 3dmark 11

System Name	WS#1337
Processor	Ryzen 7 3800X
Motherboard	ASUS X570-PLUS TUF Gaming
Cooling	Xigmatek Scylla 240mm AIO
Memory	4x8GB Samsung DDR4 ECC UDIMM
Video Card(s)	Inno3D RTX 3070 Ti iChill
Storage	ADATA Legend 2TB + ADATA SX8200 Pro 1TB
Display(s)	Samsung U24E590D (4K/UHD)
Case	ghetto CM Cosmos RC-1000
Audio Device(s)	ALC1220
Power Supply	SeaSonic SSR-550FX (80+ GOLD)
Mouse	Logitech G603
Keyboard	Modecom Volcano Blade (Kailh choc LP)
VR HMD	Google dreamview headset(aka fancy cardboard)
Software	Windows 11, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

System Name	Black Box
Processor	Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5
Motherboard	MSI E3 KRAIT Gaming v5
Cooling	Tt tower + 120mm Tt fan
Memory	G.Skill 16GB 3600 C18
Video Card(s)	Asus GTX 970 Mini
Storage	Kingston A2000 512Gb NVME
Display(s)	AOC 24" Freesync 1m.s. 75Hz
Case	Corsair 450D High Air Flow.
Audio Device(s)	No need.
Power Supply	FSP Aurum 650W
Mouse	Yes
Keyboard	Of course
Software	W10 Pro 64 bit

System Name	Codename: Icarus Mk.VI
Processor	Intel 8600k@Stock -- pending tuning
Motherboard	Asus ROG Strixx Z370-F
Cooling	CPU: BeQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 {1xCorsair ML120 Pro\|5xML140 Pro}
Memory	32GB XPG Gammix D10 {2x16GB}
Video Card(s)	ASUS Dual Radeon™ RX 6700 XT OC Edition
Storage	Samsung 970 Evo 512GB SSD (Boot)\|WD SN770 (Gaming)\|2x 3TB Toshiba DT01ACA300\|2x 2TB Crucial BX500
Display(s)	LG GP850-B
Case	Corsair 760T (White)
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha RX-V573\|Speakers: JBL Control One\|Auna 300-CN\|Wharfedale Diamond SW150
Power Supply	Corsair AX760
Mouse	Logitech G900
Keyboard	Duckyshine Dead LED(s) III
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

System Name	PC-Chips
Processor	Ryzen 5 5600x
Motherboard	Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming.
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler 6 heat pipes.
Memory	Patriot Viper 32gig dual channel 3600mhz
Video Card(s)	PowerColor HellHound RX 7900 GRE OC
Storage	2X Samsung 860 EVO SSD's 500gig / 2TB crucial P3-NVME / WD-BLUE SN550 1TB M.2 / SP A55 512gig
Display(s)	Panasonic 40-inch 4k TV
Case	Modded NZXT H510
Audio Device(s)	Realtek S1220A - Yamaha A-S501 AMP - 4 x Wharfedale diamond 9.1 speakers - Wharfedale SW150 sub
Power Supply	EVGA SuperNOVA G6 750W 80+ Gold
Mouse	Some cheap wireless thing
Keyboard	Razer Cynosa lite
VR HMD	Oculus Quest 2 128gig version
Software	Windows 11 pro 64bit

Valve now censoring Pirate Bay links in Steam chat client

Do you agree with Valve censoring links on Steam?

No

Yes

Other (explain)

Overclocked quantum bit

PC Gaming Enthusiast

Super Moderator

There is Always Moar

There is Always Moar

*

Overclocked quantum bit

Freshwater Moderator

Freshwater Moderator

Freshwater Moderator

Moderator

~Technological Technocrat~

Overclocked quantum bit