Are VPN's allowed?

[Davidx_117]

I understand using a VPN to get games cheaper is against the rules, but what about regular VPN use with steam? If you use a VPN while using steam or playing steam games could you get banned for it?

[Hanomaly]

Originally posted by Davidx_117:

I understand using a VPN to get games cheaper is against the rules, but what about regular VPN use with steam? If you use a VPN while using steam or playing steam games could you get banned for it?

i thought the wording of that section of the SSA said you can't use things like VPNs to hide your location. So. If you are using a VPN from the same region/state/city where you actually really live... it may very well be within the rules.

In the USA there are some states that insist digital stores like Steam and Amazon collect state taxes. Using a VPN (if you live in such a state) to pretend you live in a different state (to avoid taxes) is likely against the rules too. Even if you aren't using it to make it look like you are from an entirely different country.

Section 3. Billing, Payment and other Subscriptions - Part A

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.

http://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

So how that's worded, as you see.. it sounds like if you aren't using it to disguise your place of residence, it may be alright. How far Steam considers it a "disguise of residence" i don't know.

If i am in Oregon.. and i use a VPN that says i'm from Washington.. (but both are in the USA) does that count as disguising my residence? i can see Steam maybe saying yes.. since Washington and Oregon have different sales tax laws.

But i'm in Portland. If i use a VPN that is also in Portland Oregon, like me... to me that doesn't seem like it would be disguising where i am from at all.. since i am in Portland and my VPN would be too.

Buuut.. i don't think most people use VPNs that close to where they are, so..

--
EDIT: this is also only my personal interpretation of the SSA. i can't speak officialy for Valve, of course.

[Long Ago [Linux]]

What would be the actual point of using a VPN for gaming (if not to do something not allowed)? It would just add lag to your on-line games.

[The Giving One]

As far as the SSA goes, read this post and thread...

"The A VPN clarification"
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/541906348043811845/#c541906348043951197

[ KARR™]

Originally posted by The Giving One:

As far as the SSA goes, read this post and thread...

"The VPN clarification"
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/541906348043811845/#c541906348043951197

That is not clarification, that is another persons thoughts on how THEY are reading it.

They read it as :-

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to

• circumvent geographical restrictions on game content,
  
• to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography,
  
• or for any other purpose

You could alternatively read it as the below although it doesn't really 'work' english-wise

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to

• disguise the place of your residence,
  
• whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content,
  
• to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography,
  
• or for any other purpose

But the root reason most end user people get a VPN is to disguise their location, which is a reason in both readings by itself. There isn't really any reason for an end user to have a VPN than to disguise their actual location.

[♥♥♥♥]

фффф

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by Davidx_117:

I understand using a VPN to get games cheaper is against the rules, but what about regular VPN use with steam? If you use a VPN while using steam or playing steam games could you get banned for it?

It might be easier to discuss this if you'd say what you're going to sue the VPN for.

[Играю 2 раз]

крт

[Davidx_117]

Originally posted by 𝒦𝒜𝑅𝑅™:

But the root reason most end user people get a VPN is to disguise their location, which is a reason in both readings by itself. There isn't really any reason for an end user to have a VPN than to disguise their actual location.

It's not that people are purposely trying to disguise their location, people are mainly using it to hide their traffic typically from their ISP

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Originally posted by Davidx_117:

I understand using a VPN to get games cheaper is against the rules, but what about regular VPN use with steam? If you use a VPN while using steam or playing steam games could you get banned for it?

It might be easier to discuss this if you'd say what you're going to sue the VPN for.

I wouldn't actually use the VPN for steam, but I don't want to get in trouble if I accidentally forget to turn it off and start using steam

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by 𝒦𝒜𝑅𝑅™:

That is not clarification, that is another persons thoughts on how THEY are reading it.

Sorry, but that is the actual clarification on what it means. It does not mean "for any other purpose". If it was "for any other purpose" then all it would ahve to say is "for any purpose whatsoever" and that would cover it. The fact it is not worded more simply that way also should tell everyone it is not literally "for any other purpose".

The literal phrasing of "for any other purpose" desribes the last entry of "disguise your place of residence."

This comes up all the time in the forums and it seems that there is always disagreement over what it means. Wish they would word it differently so there would be less confusion or no confusion over this, though. But I respect your post, and so I will edit it to "A VPN clarification" then. After all, it is up to the user how they want to interpret it as it is right there in the SSA for everyone to read.

Like anything else, if one is in that much doubt, then err on the side of caution and don't use one at all. Problem solved.