Things YOU can do to Counteract Payment Processor Censorship

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daicon 20 Jul @ 3:40pm

Tired of the useless whiny bickering in other threads? Want to actually DO something?

To the best of my ability, I wanted to put together a list of things people can do to counteract some of the censorship being forced onto Steam and its users. This isn't comprehensive and I appreciate any suggestions. I'd love to be told "No, not like that", or "This is a better way", as long as its constructive. Posts accusing people of liking inc*st or r**e or other petty insults: ♥♥♥♥ you, I don't care.

First of all, I think e-mailing Valve employees (Gaben's is easy enough to find) and letting them know you're disappointed with this outcome. I'm personally letting them know I understand this is a complicated and ongoing process, but I want to see an end result of this new Onboarding clause being removed and the affected games rightfully reinstated.

Next, I think contacting payment processors is a longshot, but could be a very worthwhile endeavor if done well. You shouldn't just say you're disappointed and will not use their services anymore. Not that. We should tell them quite bluntly that if they continue this stupidity of infringing on people's law-abiding activities and speech by with these thuggish tactics of financially barring people, you will make it a permanent part of your political identity to seek to have them broken up as monopolies. Tell them you believe their actions are illegal, and that you will actively seek out and press the idea to as many opportunistic law firms as you can and try to kick off a class-action suit against them. Tell them you'll support forever support any regulations against them. Below I'll post some contact information, and of these, Visa allows all members of their board, including the Chairman, to be contacted.

Visa Inc.
https://investor.visa.com/corporate-governance/contact-the-board/default.aspx#emailForm
Phone: 1-800-847-2911 OR +1-303-967-1096 (international)
Mail: c/o the Chairman, CEO, General Counsel or Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 8999, San Francisco, CA 94128
businessconduct@visa.com
globalmedia@visa.com

Mastercard Inc.
https://b2b.mastercard.com/contact-us/
Corporate Office: 914-249-2000
Operations Center in Missouri: 636-722-6100
investor.relations@mastercard.com

PayPal Holdings, Inc.
https://x.com/AskPayPal
Phone: 1-888-221-1161
Mail: PayPal Headquarters, 2211 North First Street, San Jose, California 95131
EEOMALegalSpecialist@paypal.com <---HERE!!
executiveescalations@paypal.com

(!!)Most importantly(!!), those in the USA should consider contacting their Congressmen (phone or email) and tell them you want to support these bills:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/401
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/987
I would urge them to support it, and even urge them to strengthen the wording of it to put more restrictions on credit card companies, not just banks. ( How to find your congressman[www.congress.gov] )

Then, I think those in the USA should contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and file a complaint. Doing this next is good, as its the most consumer focused:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Phone: 1-855-411-2372
Mail: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552

Following that, submit a detailed complaint detailing the issues to the DOJ’s Antitrust Division or FTC:
Department of Justice – Antitrust Division
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Phone: 1-855-411-2372
Mail: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552
Federal Trade Commission
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
Phone: 1-877-382-4357
Mail: Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580

You can use an AI to help you draft letters easily (Microsoft Copilot requires no sign-in). I've put physical addresses too because although it represents a big commitment of effort, few things get their message through better than a written letter.

This is not an end-all-be-all list, but I think its a pretty good starting point. I understand a lot of this represents an uncomfy amount of effort, but really, wouldn't it be an insane spectacle if Visa or MasterCard literally got broken up all because they messed with some erogames on Steam? Imagine that going down in history.

EXAMPLE LETTER TO VISA HERE:

https://steamproxy-script.pipiskins.com/discussions/forum/0/601910394159768811/?tscn=1753102747#c601910394159807297

Example how to easily draft a complaint letter using AI in 1 minute:

https://steamproxy-script.pipiskins.com/discussions/forum/0/601910394159768811/?ctp=12#c601910705326661971

Last edited by daicon; 22 hours ago

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Showing 1-15 of 187 comments

C²C^Guyver |NZB| 20 Jul @ 3:49pm

https://steamproxy-script.pipiskins.com/discussions/forum/0/601910394159703669/

Already done....seems they'd just rather talk amongst themselves.....cause that'll change things.

daicon 20 Jul @ 3:53pm

Originally posted by C²C^Guyver |NZB|:
https://steamproxy-script.pipiskins.com/discussions/forum/0/601910394159703669/

Already done....seems they'd just rather talk amongst themselves.....cause that'll change things.

contacting Visa/MC is like the least important of all things that can be done though. They should have atleast something about the Fair Access to Banking Act for people in the USA.

Hey Im Recon 20 Jul @ 3:54pm

I'm good, thanks.

Plus, all these threads are just noise. Nobody is actually doing anything.

Last edited by Hey Im Recon; 20 Jul @ 3:54pm

Start_Running 20 Jul @ 6:08pm

You can skip paypal. Paypal is basically under the same thumb here.

Originally posted by Hey Im Recon:
I'm good, thanks.

Plus, all these threads are just noise. Nobody is actually doing anything.

Give this one credit it's actually showing where to direct the outrage that would actually do anything.

SpaceScrew 20 Jul @ 6:21pm

There’s a petition regarding this issue, and I’d really appreciate it if you could spare just one minute for it.

http://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-what-we-can-watch-read-or-play

Ben Lubar 20 Jul @ 7:23pm

Originally posted by daicon:
First of all, I think e-mailing Valve employees (Gaben's is easy enough to find) and letting them know you're disappointed with this outcome, and their response. I'm personally letting them know I understand this is a complicated and ongoing process, but I want to see an end result of this new onboarding clause being removed and the affected games rightfully reinstated.

I don't think you quite understand what you are asking for. You are asking for Steam to intentionally violate the acceptable use policies of MasterCard, Visa, and PayPal, resulting in purchases no longer being able to be made via those payment providers.

You are asking for Valve to intentionally brand themselves as "the company that wants to sell rape and incest games so much they ruined everything for everyone".

That's not a thing Valve is going to do.

And you wouldn't be able to get around the bans from the payment providers, because what store would possibly want to sell "rape and incest game gift cards"?

The authors of those games have already been refunded their app credits, meaning the next games they publish on Steam are being paid for by Valve. The people who bought those games did not lose access to them. But those games are not coming back for sale, because an intentional move to violate that kind of rule would only end in disaster for Steam.

videomike_Ultimate_Plushie 20 Jul @ 7:23pm

Good man Daicon, People, I wanna double my support for these things. Remember: All it took for Visa and Mastercard to put demands was literally a letter writing campaign by a single feminist group whose already taken credit. They, do, listen, you just have to have ther right language. On top of that, petitions, many of them, letter to congressman, senators, local officials. Your state can ban this independently with or without federal work. There is already a bill for exactly that being pushed -right now-

Please do not feel like you can do nothing. All that can be asked of you, if what you can do, and what you can't do, writing a letter(and printing it for for physical deliver) means a lot.Most people don't do this, a sudden influx of people doing it shows willingness to action that DOES get attention. Even if it goes nowhere, your power in doing something gets attention somewhere, and that's all it takes to spread a fire. Do not ever give up, do not let yourself live by what ifs and if-onlys, know what you can do and see it through because it's worth doing. Than bask in the glory knowing you were part of getting laws against this ever happening again

PocketYoda 20 Jul @ 7:25pm

Sadly not being American this is far to expensive and impractical for the rest of the world to really do..

Chika Ogiue 20 Jul @ 7:43pm

Originally posted by SpaceScrew:
There’s a petition regarding this issue, and I’d really appreciate it if you could spare just one minute for it.

Petitions aren't going to help. People outside of Japan need to do what we did: contact your politicians. Even better if you can prove the actions of the payment processors are in direct opposition to any constitution or laws you may have that protect freedom of (artistic) expression. The more governments that take issue with these actions, the faster the payment processors will cave.

Originally posted by videomike_Ultimate_Plushie:
Good man Daicon, People, I wanna double my support for these things. Remember: All it took for Visa and Mastercard to put demands was literally a letter writing campaign by a single feminist group whose already taken credit.

The payment processors were ALREADY doing this. They've been making these demands towards Japanese stores for about three years now. Most of our stores were forced to cave, one had enough weight to just cut off the payment processors making the demands. Our politicians were contacted by authors and artists and other creatives. We had an election yesterday and at least one seat went to a politician whose campaign was focused around this attack on creative freedom. A former prime minister is also wanting to handle the situation.

All that feminist group managed to do, if anything, was push up the timetable for the payment processors to focus their efforts on other regions too. But it's easy for them to take the credit when squeezing any information out of the processors themselves is harder than getting blood from a rock.

videomike_Ultimate_Plushie 20 Jul @ 8:09pm

Originally posted by Chika Ogiue:
Originally posted by SpaceScrew:
There’s a petition regarding this issue, and I’d really appreciate it if you could spare just one minute for it.

Petitions aren't going to help. People outside of Japan need to do what we did: contact your politicians. Even better if you can prove the actions of the payment processors are in direct opposition to any constitution or laws you may have that protect freedom of (artistic) expression. The more governments that take issue with these actions, the faster the payment processors will cave.

Originally posted by videomike_Ultimate_Plushie:
Good man Daicon, People, I wanna double my support for these things. Remember: All it took for Visa and Mastercard to put demands was literally a letter writing campaign by a single feminist group whose already taken credit.

The payment processors were ALREADY doing this. They've been making these demands towards Japanese stores for about three years now. Most of our stores were forced to cave, one had enough weight to just cut off the payment processors making the demands. Our politicians were contacted by authors and artists and other creatives. We had an election yesterday and at least one seat went to a politician whose campaign was focused around this attack on creative freedom. A former prime minister is also wanting to handle the situation.

All that feminist group managed to do, if anything, was push up the timetable for the payment processors to focus their efforts on other regions too. But it's easy for them to take the credit when squeezing any information out of the processors themselves is harder than getting blood from a rock.

Oh agreed, I know they've been doing this. Thats why I also agree with people writing Visa or MAstercard is unlikely to get anywhere. This is going to require legislation so contacting federal and state lawmakers both is the more important as is making formal petitions and signing them. But I aint gonna give up, because its either die on this hill, or rot in a gutter.

#10

Realigo Actual 20 Jul @ 9:36pm

Most powerful and immediate response would be to switch to PaySafeCard for rest of year or something like this.

#11

Chika Ogiue 20 Jul @ 9:45pm

Originally posted by Realigo Actual:
Most powerful and immediate response would be to switch to PaySafeCard for rest of year or something like this.

Even with other cards, the payment processing will ultimate go through Visa or Mastercard. That is part of the problem and why they can make these demands with such impunity. They can cut off any other payment method that goes through them. The only way to ensure they are not part of the equation at all is make all your purchases on Steam with Steam wallet funds you've personally purchased with cash.

#12

SteelAceBae 21 Jul @ 1:11am

Wont work for steam, even if we use steam gift cards...steam still have to deal directly with A BANK and said bank can still refuse service to them b/c reasons you know. Valve have to technically create its own bank which is not hard, just alot of paper work and running around. If one does make a n own bank all one need is to buy said gold to back the currency..... or Valve can just join the BRICS and call it BRICSV lol.... no more debanking no sanctions issue lol!

#13

daicon 21 Jul @ 4:48am

Originally posted by SpaceScrew:
There’s a petition regarding this issue, and I’d really appreciate it if you could spare just one minute for it.

I definitely signed and think its worth signing, but I want to say that (generally) petitions do little. What works is the fear of regulation/lawsuits and above that, actual lawsuits/regulation. I think the petition helps, I just don't want people signing a change.org and then thinking they've made a big difference is all.

Originally posted by Ben Lubar:
I don't think you quite understand what you are asking for. You are asking for Steam to intentionally violate the acceptable use policies of MasterCard, Visa, and PayPal, resulting in purchases no longer being able to be made via those payment providers.

You are asking for Valve to intentionally brand themselves as "the company that wants to sell rape and incest games so much they ruined everything for everyone".

That's not a thing Valve is going to do.

And you wouldn't be able to get around the bans from the payment providers, because what store would possibly want to sell "rape and incest game gift cards"?

The authors of those games have already been refunded their app credits, meaning the next games they publish on Steam are being paid for by Valve. The people who bought those games did not lose access to them. But those games are not coming back for sale, because an intentional move to violate that kind of rule would only end in disaster for Steam.

No. I'm not asking Valve to violate anything. I'm saying people should let them know they do not like this outcome. They need to clearly know that their users do not want censorship. I am personally saying this needs to be reversed... Completely. That is my personal stance. I'm sure I'm not alone on that though.

Also I don't think you speak for what Valve is going to do, or the public's opinion. The public is already against this change. We don't want Payment Processors dictating on Steam. The message is clear. The gaming public (aka Valve's ACTUAL customers) have shown largely where they stand.

No one cares how some fringe and failing news sites will try to potentially spin things. I'm sure Valve knows they'll just say whatever the ♥♥♥♥ they want anyway. I reject this really outdated view that all need be scared that some creep will write a nasty online article about your business if you don't tow the line.

#14

Realigo Actual 21 Jul @ 5:59am

Originally posted by Chika Ogiue:
Originally posted by Realigo Actual:
Most powerful and immediate response would be to switch to PaySafeCard for rest of year or something like this.

Even with other cards, the payment processing will ultimate go through Visa or Mastercard. That is part of the problem and why they can make these demands with such impunity. They can cut off any other payment method that goes through them. The only way to ensure they are not part of the equation at all is make all your purchases on Steam with Steam wallet funds you've personally purchased with cash.

Not guaranteed. Banks have their own private payment systems. The main difference from VISA in practice is speed, but that itself will change as faster systems are coming online now to replace the current ones which will ahve VISA and MasterCard's speed (but still not many of their retail/customer-inclined features).

But if you go from PaySafeCard (which is supplying some of the VISA//MC bits), then from Steam to company can be through banks only.

Last edited by Realigo Actual; 21 Jul @ 5:59am

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Date Posted: 20 Jul @ 3:40pm

Posts: 187

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