In this episode, lawyer Richard Hoeg explores the recent rule changes on platforms like Steam and itch.io, driven by the power of payment processors. He discusses the importance of understanding legality versus corporate policies, with a focus on Mastercard's influence and their public statements. Hoeg analyzes the media's misinterpretation of Mastercard's stance, Valve's response, and the legal implications of such policies. Concerns over Mastercard's broad discretion, enforcement, and antitrust laws are addressed, along with the effectiveness of petitions, direct action, and the long-term implications for alternative platforms.

Virtual Legality

Richard Hoeg

CREDIT DECLINED | Mastercard, Steam, and the Importance of What Corporations *Don't* Say (VL)

AUG 5, 202535 MIN
Virtual Legality

CREDIT DECLINED | Mastercard, Steam, and the Importance of What Corporations *Don't* Say (VL)

AUG 5, 202535 MIN

Description

In this episode, lawyer Richard Hoeg explores the recent rule changes on platforms like Steam and itch.io, driven by the power of payment processors. He discusses the importance of understanding legality versus corporate policies, with a focus on Mastercard's influence and their public statements. Hoeg analyzes the media's misinterpretation of Mastercard's stance, Valve's response, and the legal implications of such policies. Concerns over Mastercard's broad discretion, enforcement, and antitrust laws are addressed, along with the effectiveness of petitions, direct action, and the long-term implications for alternative platforms.

LINKS

OVERVIEW https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jul/29/why-did-adult-titles-disappear-from-steam-itch-pc-gaming-payment-processors

THE STATEMENT https://x.com/MastercardNews/status/1951280013799510020/photo/1 https://kotaku.com/mastercard-denies-pressuring-steam-to-censor-nsfw-games-2000614393

THE RULE https://x.com/DeekeTweak/status/1951646483163308045/photo/1 https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/how-mastercard-is-endangering-sex-workers

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

THE FIGHTERS https://www.gog.com/pressroom/gog-and-game-publishers-launch-freedomtobuy-games-to-raise-awareness-on-censorship-in-gaming/

(0:14) Introduction and episode overview (1:02) Support options and YouTube censorship (2:40) Steam and itch.io rule changes under pressure (3:33) Collective Shout's influence and payment processors' power (5:02) Importance of legality vs. corporate policies (5:54) Mastercard's public statement and analysis (12:03) Media misinterpretation of Mastercard's statement (15:29) Valve's response to Mastercard's rule 5.12.7 (17:23) Legal implications of Mastercard's policies (22:26) Concerns over Mastercard's broad discretion and enforcement (26:15) Antitrust laws and responses to Mastercard's policies (29:49) Effectiveness of petitions and direct action (32:12) Long-term implications and alternative platforms