Online Conduct Rules

FIRST SEEN 2026-07-22 · VERSION 20260722_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20220307_rev01

Full text changes — 20220307_rev01 to 20260722_rev01

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11Steam Online Conduct
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3### STEAM™ ONLINE CONDUCT
3As a [Steam subscriber](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/) you agree to abide by the following conduct rules. In general, as a Steam user you should be a good online citizen and not do anything that prevents any other Steam user from using and enjoying Steam.
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5As a [Steam subscriber](https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/) you agree to abide by the following conduct rules.
5More specifically, you shall not do, or attempt to do, any of the following on Steam:
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7You will not:
7- **Engage in unlawful activity**
8 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: exploiting minors; stealing; encouraging real-world violence; engaging in fraud; and creating a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
9- **Upload or post illegal or inappropriate content**
10 Examples of such prohibited content include:
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9- Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain images, photographs, software or other material protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents to do the same.
10- Use any material or information, including images or photographs, via Steam in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party.
11- Upload files that contain viruses, trojan horses, worms, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another.
12- Institute attacks upon a Steam server or otherwise disrupt Steam.
13- Use Steam in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise).
14- Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
15- Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying Steam services, software or other content.
16- Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses.
17- Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
18- Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
12- Real or disturbing depictions of violence;
13- Content that exploits children in any way; and
14- Sexually explicit content. This does not forbid game content posted in its own game hub.
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16- **Violate others' personal rights**
17 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: doxing; scamming; stealing; impersonating; stalking; accessing other users' Steam accounts; and posting libelous or defamatory statements.
18- **Harass other users or Steam personnel**
19 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: trolling; baiting; threatening; spamming; intimidating; and using abusive language or insults.
20- **Disrupt, damage, or manipulate Steam**
21 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: instituting an attack on a Steam server; artificially manipulating Steam reviews or other content; and automatically generating Steam accounts.
22- **Disrupt or damage other users' computers**
23 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: uploading or linking to malicious software such as a virus or Trojan horse; and instituting an attack on another user's computer.
24- **Cheat**
25 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: running cheat programs; smurfing; and artificially boosting your match-making rank.
26- **Violate others' intellectual property rights**
27 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: uploading materials that you do not own the rights to; using another's trademark or copyrighted material; and infringing someone else's patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right.
28- **Improperly gather or distribute information**
29 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: harvesting or otherwise collecting information about others, including e-mail addresses; and distributing surveys, multi-level marketing materials, chain letters, or junk email.
30- **Engage in commercial activity**
31 Examples of such prohibited behavior include: posting advertisements; running contests; gambling; buying or selling Steam accounts; selling content, gift cards, or other items; and begging.
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33- * *
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35- [Learn more about Steam's Rules and Guidelines](https://help.steampowered.com/faqs/view/6862-8119-C23E-EA7B)
36- [Learn how to report inappropriate content](https://help.steampowered.com/faqs/view/4DE7-17AA-0E8B-C1AD)
37- [Learn how to address misconduct, along with best practices for protecting yourself online](https://help.steampowered.com/faqs/view/4F8E-AE41-B6B1-F836)