A question on VPNs

[Asha]

I've been using a VPN with one provider for a while now and I've had no problems so far with Valve in terms of bans/negative consequences - however I am now switching and thought I'd seek clarification from anyone who has definitive information or experience in this regard.

I use a VPN in order to mask my network traffic in totality - I don't do anything illegal or suspicious, I simply prefer the peace of mind of knowing my activity is private. So far I have only ever used a VPN connection to a hosting server within my own country and the country of which my Steam Store is linked. I have browsed many other threads with similar questions, however most people use VPNs to skirt Netflix content availability - that is, they are tunnelling to a different country - which obviously runs the risk of a Steam ban given the potential to accidentally forget it's presence and make Store purchases. However my situation assumes none of this risk, or so I would hope.

My question is: so long as I am only ever connected to a VPN in the same country my Steam Store is set to - am I safe from a ban or other account action from Valve? I understand there may be a difference between what they consider and state to be against the rules and what is actually enforced - if possible I'd like to know both.

I tried a quick search through the Steam Subscriber Agreement, however nothing came up for 'vpn' or 'virtual private network'.

Thanks in advance.

[Crashed]

Commercial VPNs fall under proxying.

[Joke]

Nguyên văn bởi ᚫᛋᚻᚫ:

...
So far I have only ever used a VPN connection to a hosting server within my own country and the country of which my Steam Store is linked.
...

As long as this is the case then I see no reason for Valve to have any objections.

Don't use your VPN to cheat Valve rules or your governments rules.

[J4MESOX4D]

VPN's are typically fine as long as you don't use it to manipulate your store location or for games and their content in terms of any regional restrictions. If you would to be penalised for using a VPN then it would've already happened. Valve and their affiliated partners even use these for their gaming tournaments.

The Steam Subscriber Agreement does mention about the use of this but it's extremely outdated, contradictory and archaic and needs updating/clarifying.

[Crashed]

Nguyên văn bởi J4MESOX4D:

VPN's are typically fine as long as you don't use it to manipulate your store location or for games and their content in terms of any regional restrictions. If you would to be penalised for using a VPN then it would've already happened. Valve and their affiliated partners even use these for their gaming tournaments.

The Steam Subscriber Agreement does mention about the use of this but it's extremely outdated, contradictory and archaic and needs updating/clarifying.

It would be hard for them to loosen their rules without breaching agreements with publishers.

My own VPN won't cause trouble with Valve because it is a VPN in the traditional sense that I use to remotely access my home network, just in case some people are confused as to the meaning of VPN in this context.

[Maria]

https://youtu.be/WVDQEoe6ZWY?feature=shared

[Asha]

Nguyên văn bởi Maria:

https://youtu.be/WVDQEoe6ZWY?feature=shared

Not sure what point you're trying to make here. I have a degree in computer science and I know how VPNs work, what I don't know is Valve's policy regarding their use.

This has nothing to do with worrying about "passwords being stolen" or being "safe against viruses", it's about stopping my government from seeing my online activity.

[nullable]

Nguyên văn bởi ᚫᛋᚻᚫ:

Nguyên văn bởi Maria:

https://youtu.be/WVDQEoe6ZWY?feature=shared

Not sure what point you're trying to make here. I have a degree in computer science and I know how VPNs work, what I don't know is Valve's policy regarding their use.

All you need to know is Valve doesn't want you using them to bypass region restrictions. Like any technology it can be perfectly fine to use. I use a VPN at work to connect to the our premises machines while I'm at home. No issues there. And my employers VPN isn't trying to conceal my location or make it appear I'm half way around the world. Valve doesn't care about it. It does not affect them.

But trying to use a VPN to abuse regional pricing or bypass regional restrictions, that's specific and direct abuse toward Valve and it's other customers (developers/publishers) and that's obviously not wanted, and not allowed per Valve's terms.

Valve doesn't care about VPNs, they care about abuse. Just like they don't care about all the background processes on your PC or files on disk, but they care about cheats/hacks.

Valve doesn't care what you do, so long as it's not harming their other customers on their system. If you're not sure if your actions are harmful, then yeah, you might want to consider it carefully. So... how us your use of a VPN harmful towards Steam and its customers?