WE DO NOT ACCEPT | Stopping Payment Processors and the End of Freedom (VL)
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.
Key Points
- Censorship by payment processors like poses a significant threat to freedom of expression in digital marketplaces.
- Platforms like Steam and itch.io are capitulating to pressure from payment processors and advocacy groups, which could lead to widespread censorship of legal content.
- Consumers and advocates need to push back against this trend by supporting platforms that resist such censorship and potentially by urging regulators to treat payment processors as common carriers.
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
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Transcript
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