this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2025

48 points (100.0% liked)

Gaming

3725 readers

34 users here now

The Lemmy.zip Gaming Community

For news, discussions and memes!

Community Rules

This community follows the Lemmy.zip Instance rules, with the inclusion of the following rule:

No NSFW content

You can see Lemmy.zip's rules by going to our Code of Conduct.

What to Expect in Our Code of Conduct:

Respectful Communication: We strive for positive, constructive dialogue and encourage all members to engage with one another in a courteous and understanding manner.
Inclusivity: Embracing diversity is at the core of our community. We welcome members from all walks of life and expect interactions to be conducted without discrimination.
Privacy: Your privacy is paramount. Please respect the privacy of others just as you expect yours to be treated. Personal information should never be shared without consent.
Integrity: We believe in the integrity of speech and action. As such, honesty is expected, and deceptive practices are strictly prohibited.
Collaboration: Whether you're here to learn, teach, or simply engage in discussion, collaboration is key. Support your fellow members and contribute positively to shared learning and growth.

If you enjoy reading legal stuff, you can check it all out at legal.lemmy.zip.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

Demigodrick@lemmy.zip

Sami@lemmy.zip

Mastercard release a statement about game stores, payment processors and adult content (www.gamingonlinux.com)

submitted 1 day ago by ZippyBot@lemmy.zip to c/gaming@lemmy.zip

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

top 9 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 38 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Mastercard has not evaluated any game or required restrictions of any activity on game creator sites and platforms, contrary to media reports and allegations.

Our payment network follows standards based on the rule of law. Put simply, we allow all lawful purchases on our network. At the same time, we require merchants to have appropriate controls to ensure Mastercard cards cannot be used for unlawful purchases, including illegal adult content.

So, Mastercard is claiming either

that the content Steam and itch were forced to remove was unlawful; or
that they absolutely did no pressure to force either to remove the content

Either way it smells like bullshit.

[–] jacksilver@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What they're saying is: "we haven't called out any specific games, but we told steam if they can't prove a game is "lawful" well cut them off".

This effectively has a chilling effect because it means anything that could be illegal becomes toxic and risky for steam.

Its a way for Mastercard to dictate what can be sold without actually dictating what can be sold. Now the real issue is that at the end of the Mastercard is in a position where this matters and they can influence things. Should work just like cash and leave the government to decide what items are legal/illegal.

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What they’re saying is: “we haven’t called out any specific games, but we told steam if they can’t prove a game is “lawful” well cut them off”.

That interpretation is inviable because Mastercard is claiming to allow "all" lawful purchases on its network. And, given a purchase is lawful unless proved contrariwise (as a consequence of innocence unless proved guilt), it would need evidence that a purchase is unlawful, in order to prevent it.

So it's more than just dictating what can be sold without actually stating it - people there are lying.

Now the real issue is that at the end of the Mastercard is in a position where this matters and they can influence things. Should work just like cash and leave the government to decide what items are legal/illegal.

Full agree.

[–] jacksilver@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't disagree with you on the first point. I put "unlawful" in quotes to imply that lawful/unlawful is ambiguous and gives Mastercard the cover they need to not really be lying in their statement, even if effectively they are.

Its corporate doublespeak to a T.

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 3 points 1 day ago

I get that you weren't disagreeing on the main point. And I think we agree that Mastercard is trying to have the cake and eat it too - it wants to be a censor without being acknowledged as such.

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Double reply regarding Stripe's open statement, as it's related to this topic:

Stripe is claiming to be "pressured" by an unknown party. But it's going out of its way to defend that party, by not naming it and by claiming it's a "partner".

[–] Luouth@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Ahh partners with religious zealots, the best kind of relationship

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

Our payment network follows standards based on the rule of law. Put simply, we allow all lawful purchases on our network. At the same time, we require merchants to have appropriate controls to ensure Mastercard cards cannot be used for unlawful purchases, including illegal adult content.

This sounds like trying to have their cake and eat it too. Steam wouldn't have delisted that many games without a significant threat of retaliation from the payment processors for possibly publishing something that broke whatever criteria they count as an unlawful purchase.

One case I can think of is the ease of using a VPN to purchase content that is illegal where the person resides but legal elsewhere. Stopping purchases through VPNs would be one thing that valve has no realistic way to address, but if the payment processor insisted that they must avoid that kind of unlawful purchase or cut off all payments then I could see the end result of just removing all of the content.

Not saying it is that exact thing, just an example of something unrealistic that can still be described as a card being used for 'unlawful purchases'.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 6 points 1 day ago

Itch already came out and said it was not VISA/Mastercard but PayPal/Stripe