We’d like to share some information about recent updates to the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA), which mainly relate to how any disputes between Valve and Steam users are resolved. We’ve eliminated the requirement that disputes be resolved by individual arbitration. As always, we encourage you to contact Steam Support when you have any issues, as that will nearly always be the best way to reach a solution.
The words “update” and “agreement”, when found in the same sentence, usually prompt me to roll my eyes and say “oh look corporation found another way to stab customers”.
This is not the case - what they’re doing is sensible and fair. I don’t even know how forced arbitration is even legal for some countries, it’s basically “we expect you to give up your legal rights”.
They’re changing it because they discovered through this class action lawsuit that it’s cheaper to let it go to court.
I still think this is a good thing, but not necessarily being done for the good of the customer.
The words “update” and “agreement”, when found in the same sentence, usually prompt me to roll my eyes and say “oh look corporation found another way to stab customers”.
This is not the case - what they’re doing is sensible and fair. I don’t even know how forced arbitration is even legal for some countries, it’s basically “we expect you to give up your legal rights”.
They’re changing it because they discovered through this class action lawsuit that it’s cheaper to let it go to court.
I still think this is a good thing, but not necessarily being done for the good of the customer.