In this episode, lawyer Richard Hoeg explores the complexities of censorship on digital platforms, focusing on Steam's new rules influenced by payment processors. He discusses financial censorship, game removals, and pressure from credit card companies. The impact on digital marketplaces like itch.io and the influence of activist group Collective Shout on content policies are also examined. Hoeg addresses broader implications for free speech and democracy, antitrust limitations, and the potential role of payment processors as common carriers. The episode concludes with a discussion on consumer actions, platform responsibilities, and a call to action for viewers/listeners.

LINKS

STEAM https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-now-bans-games-that-violate-the-rules-and-standards-of-payment-processors-and-banks-164222173.html https://x.com/SteamDB/status/1945409792207421900 https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/gettingstarted/onboarding?language=english#5 https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/valve-confirms-credit-card-companies-pressured-it-to-delist-certain-adult-games-from-steam/ https://www.pcguide.com/news/valve-responds-to-payment-processor-controversy-hopes-devs-have-another-game-to-put-on-steam/

ITCH.IO https://www.gamefile.news/p/itchio-steam-collective-shout-sex-games-consume-me https://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-content

PAYMENT PROCESSORS https://theretailexec.com/payment-processing/payment-processors/ https://civitai.com/articles/13632/policy-and-content-adjustments

COLLECTIVE SHOUT https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/australian-anti-porn-group-claims-responsibility-for-steams-new-censorship-rules-in-victory-against-porn-sick-brain-rotted-pedo-gamer-fetishists-and-things-only-get-weirder-from-there/ https://www.collectiveshout.org/campaigns https://www.collectiveshout.org/about https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq https://www.collectiveshout.org/media-release-payment-gateways https://www.collectiveshout.org/open-letter-to-payment-processors

EXISTENTIAL THREAT https://automaton-media.com/en/news/visa-japans-ceo-says-disabling-card-payment-for-legal-adult-content-is-necessary-to-protect-the-brand/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nier-creator-speaks-out-against-payment-processors-pressuring-japanese-adult-content-platforms/ https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1 https://lawshun.com/article/what-is-a-common-carrier-under-federal-law

(0:14) Introduction and special request to audience (1:13) Censorship, Steam's new rule, and payment processors (5:44) Financial censorship and its implications (8:08) Steam database changes and game removals (10:16) Legal analysis of Steam's content policy changes (15:26) Valve's confirmation of credit card company pressures (18:13) Valve's response to payment method concerns (21:32) Impact on itch.io and digital marketplace censorship (24:09) Case study: Consume Me game and de-indexed games statistics (26:03) Collective Shout's role in content crackdown (27:07) Collective Shout's previous campaigns and influence (28:20) Gamefile endorsement and payment processors' influence (30:21) itch.io's statement and consumer policy reactions (37:00) Payment processors' role and regulatory landscape (44:59) Analysis of Collective Shout's campaigns and impact (51:42) Corporate social responsibility in content policy (56:57) Using payment processors for policy enforcement (59:44) Influence of Collective Shout on platform content decisions (1:00:19) Uncertainty around involved payment processors (1:05:52) Payment processors' effect on free speech and democracy (1:08:22) Antitrust limitations and common carrier concepts (1:12:20) Discussion on payment processors as common carriers (1:14:00) Consumer actions and platform responsibilities (1:17:18) Addressing activist pressures and government regulation (1:19:18) Episode summary and call to action (1:20:27) Closing remarks and support options