Private Profiles

[Psycho]

What are your thoughts on private profiles? Obviously people have one of two opinions - they think people with private profiles are shady, or they think people with private profiles just enjoy their privacy.

But it seems like private profiles are hated by a lot of people on Steam, and I don't know why

I only think a private profile is sketchy if the person has multiple VAC bans, or an active trade ban or something. That kinda seems like a red flag, to me anyway...

And I've seen this lots of times in online Steam games before, but if a player is doing really good, sometimes other players on the enemy team check their profile, and if it's private they talk about it in chat and automatically assume that they are cheating.

But what are your thoughts?

[nullable]

Originally posted by Psycho:

What are your thoughts on private profiles?

People have a right to privacy.

Originally posted by Psycho:

Obviously people have one of two opinions - they think people with private profiles are shady, or they think people with private profiles just enjoy their privacy.

One of those opinions is wrong, uninformed, and the user is so desperate for an simple and easy trust metric they arbitrarily glom onto anything in arms reach and engage whatever confirmation biases will support their thinking.

Originally posted by Psycho:

But it seems like private profiles are hated by a lot of people on Steam, and I don't know why

A lot of people are clueless and are making arbitrary judgement calls and assuming those are rational/reasonable.

Since you're aware of the schools of thought on the subject, it does seem like you do know why people don't like private profiles. I think you might not understand why people make bad assumptions and bad judgments. Hint: they're human.

[BJWyler]

People are inherently nosey, and they also tend to project thoughts and feelings on to others. If someone routinely thinks that someone with a private profile is shady, that usually means that they, themselves are shady too.

If anything, shady people will have public profiles designed in such a way that tries to make them look as honest and normal as possible.

Personally, I set up my profile the way I did - private except for the comments - primarily to annoy the nosey people and the ones who continually complain about people who cheat achievements. It has often brought me great amusement.

[Bloody Moon]

They are simply choices, slandering unfairly and without evidence people who prefer to keep their profiles private should not interest anyone. Care about your life, rather than others'.

[Crazy Tiger]

I don't see the issue with them. People who "hate" them mostly do so because they can't reach the info they so very much desire to have access to.

It doesn't really matter if a profile is private or public, people will always try and find something to use against others. Your example of someone doing well and having a private profile, if it was public people would still look for things to use in an attempt to devalue the other person.

Social media has warped people into thinking they're owed every bit of info, even though the opposite is true.

[Leader of the Zakonistians]

Originally posted by Psycho:

What are your thoughts on private profiles? Obviously people have one of two opinions - they think people with private profiles are shady, or they think people with private profiles just enjoy their privacy.

But it seems like private profiles are hated by a lot of people on Steam, and I don't know why

I only think a private profile is sketchy if the person has multiple VAC bans, or an active trade ban or something. That kinda seems like a red flag, to me anyway...

And I've seen this lots of times in online Steam games before, but if a player is doing really good, sometimes other players on the enemy team check their profile, and if it's private they talk about it in chat and automatically assume that they are cheating.

But what are your thoughts?

Private Profiles are peoples right to privacy. if some people hate that, than that's their problem. In the United States, people have a right to hide what they feel is private information. My profile is private because I've been hacked a couple times and I just feel safer keeping my information out of other people's hands. The only way people can access my account is if I give them permission. Of course that never happens though since the only people who would ever need my info already have it and I don't plan on giving it to anyone else. I don't even give it to my friends.

[Aachen]

People who presume “closed curtains imply criminality” are foolish.

[ShelLuser]

Originally posted by Psycho:

What are your thoughts on private profiles?

Simple: "Each to their own".

I think it's a bit of a shame, but that's only because I really enjoy all the interaction which you can do on your profile. But at the same time I can fully understand that some people don't want to bother with all the possible issues... for example people commenting on your profile while you don't really want 'm to?

Also... keep in mind that "private" can also imply "friends only". I still recall someone sending me a friend request while they had a private profile.. I wasn't sure if I should but eventually decided that, sure, I'll add them and lo and behold: suddenly I got to see a lot more of their profile.

I think it's a good thing that Steam provides this feature and it never bothered me before.

[The Commendatore]

I couldn't care less if it's public or private.

[Nx Machina]

When people complain about private profiles they literally forget they hide specific details about themselves due to a very simple factor - their own right to privacy, while ironically wanting details about another.

[blunus]

Users simply have rights to privacy, that's all.

[Psycho]

Originally posted by blunus:

Users simply have rights to privacy, that's all.

Yes. Private profiles

[Psycho]

Originally posted by nullable:

Since you're aware of the schools of thought on the subject, it does seem like you do know why people don't like private profiles. I think you might not understand why people make bad assumptions and bad judgments. Hint: they're human.

Yeah the point of this thread is for people to explain why they like or don't like private profiles. Being human doesn't explain why someone wouldn't like a private profile. I'd more like to hear from the people themselves as to an actual reason why they don't like it. I assumed it's because they associate private profiles with cheaters but I don't know

And being human doesn't = making bad assumptions and judgements

[PootisMayo]

I don’t mind people having private profiles if they don’t want others to leave comments, but when someone insults people for having private profiles, that’s where they cross the line.

[nullable]

Originally posted by Psycho:

Being human doesn't explain why someone wouldn't like a private profile.

Sure it does. I outlined my take on it, arbitrary and bad assumptions, ignorance, confirmation bias. Why do people do those things? All human beings do those things.

The more aware you are of human behavior the more you can do to mitigate some of the common mistakes you might make. But it'll always be a part of being human.

Originally posted by Psycho:

And being human doesn't = making bad assumptions and judgements

Have you ever met another human being before? I'm not saying humans are incapable of anything but bad assumptions and judgments. But if bad assumptions and judgments were a product we consumed, it would be one of the most popular products on the planet. You'd have a case in your pantry right now.

[Qbert ⭐]

Originally posted by dazza0511:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

I don't see the issue with them. People who "hate" them mostly do so because they can't reach the info they so very much desire to have access to.

That's why I hate people with private profiles. What bothers me is that it's a gaming platform why are people so scared of showing their games, who cares if someone sees you have played X hours of a certain game. Private profiles on social media doesn't bother me though.

This

I love when people rage about me having lots of achievements on lewd anime games

People even rage because one have "too much badges you should spend money on games"

Edit: fixing typos