Removal Of User Content Uploads

[Deadmano]

Dear fellow steam users,

I post here before you all today, not for the fact that one of my screenshot uploads were removed, but the basis thereof and because of the matter of principal as I always try to conform within policies.

Today I log in to find one my screenshots uploaded a couple of days ago, removed. The screenshot in question;

NOTE: Some users may find this offensive or possibly NSFW, to me honestly none of those apply, but better safe than sorry! :)

View Image[i40.tinypic.com]

Now I have gone through the SSA as well as the SOC and no where (as far as I have read), does it state that you are NOT allowed to upload screenshots of a game that is fully endorsed (provided AS IS) by STEAM.

In fact, here's the contents of the Steam Online Conduct;

Opprinnelig skrevet av Valve:

STEAM™ ONLINE CONDUCT

As a Steam subscriber you agree to abide by the following conduct rules.

You will not:

• Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain images, photographs, software or other material protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents to do the same.
  
• Use any material or information, including images or photographs, via Steam in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party.
  
• Upload files that contain viruses, trojan horses, worms, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another.
  Institute attacks upon a Steam server or otherwise disrupt Steam.
  
• Use Steam in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise).
  
• Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
  
• Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying Steam services, software or other content.
  
• Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses.
  
• Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
  
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations.

So correct me if I am wrong, but according to all that, and given the screenshot in question, was I honestly in the wrong? What has the freedom of a gamer come to these days? You slave off to pay for the games you love, only to be told (enforced) how to be able to discuss/share certain content?

I could understand if this has something to do with an NDA, or rather explicit (nude) content, but this is far from it, and to be honest, I have seen a lot worse.

So as I stated, it doesn't phase me that the screenshot is now gone, but rather the freedom being sucked away from users, and the fact that this (if left unchecked) will continue to happen.

I have raised this matter up with steam support, not sure what I'm expecting, but at least some explanation as to "why" and a pointer as to where I broke a rule would be much appreciated.

And remember, this was posted on my OWN steam profile, not aimed at anyone, or posted as part of a steam discussion etc... So if I can't enjoy my profile and share content the way I want them to be shared, then what is the point of having a profile at all?

Call this a rant, call it a joke, call it whatever you like, but for me, having always followed rules and regulations I cannot and will not stand to be accused of and punished for something that I haven't done (or at least not intended to do).

Sincerely,
Deadmano.

[eram]

Please note that Administrators/Moderators reserve the right to change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate or incorrectly categorized.

[Deadmano]

And just to add to the above, if you will notice the caption of the screenshot in question you can clearly see that it had nothing to do with trying to show off female tid bits (be they as cartoony as they are) or whatever else may be bashed at me shortly hereafter, but rather a comment on one of the games few flaws which are quite annoying at times...

But of course, some people are quite oblivious to all this, and like to only see what they wish to see. :)

[eram]

You only had 1 out of 650 images moderated. I dont see it as a huge issue and now you know the limits of what you can upload.

[Deadmano]

Opprinnelig skrevet av eram:

Please note that Administrators/Moderators reserve the right to change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate or incorrectly categorized.

Hi there eram,

I am not sure if this is an automated response, or an actual response, but either way, thank you for informing me! I do however feel that this message has at least some form of relevance and if removed would be exactly what I was referring to all along in regards to the lack of freedom of speech...

Should it however be moved to a more relevant section of this forum, I have no quarrel with that and would gladly accept it.

[eram]

For the image.

Please note that Administrators/Moderators reserve the right to change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate..


"change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate"

[Deadmano]

Opprinnelig skrevet av eram:

You only had 1 out of 650 images moderated. I dont see it as a huge issue and now you know the limits of what you can upload.

I retract my earlier statement, you very much alive and friendly person, you! :)

Be that as it may, the statistics of it all are irrelevant, should it have been 200 out of 650 or whatever other number. The fact of the matter is that I, as a user, feel that my freedom of speech (and without breaking any steam SSA or SOC) has been breached.

How would you feel if you were given a subpoena for a potential "crime" you never committed? This is exactly how I feel right now, and due to the nature of all this, and given my "clean" past I feel threatened and obliged to defend myself.

[Τhe Rolling Cheese Wheel]

As indicated by eram, any and all content you upload can be deleted/moved/merged/etc without any warning.

There is no such thing as freedom of speech on a privately own service that is steam.

Although I am completely against deletion of screenshot of content that is in-game regardless of how profane, grotesque, insulting, etc. It is within the rights of Valve moderators to delete anything they see fit because you have no freedom of speech protection on steam.

[Deadmano]

Opprinnelig skrevet av eram:

For the image.

Please note that Administrators/Moderators reserve the right to change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate..


"change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate"

I totally understand you, and only uploaded said image to give some insight as to what content was removed, and hoping that it would be in context to the discussion. :)

Should it be deemed offensive (even though I took the time to inform users beforehand) I will gladly remove it, or at a request, edit it.

[eram]

I think you are confusing some law in a county with steam image uploads. I'm not american but i think freedom of speech is about being able to talk freely without interference from the government. You can't apply it to your image upload to steam. When you joined steam and made a community profile you agreed to certain terms. 1 of them will be admins/mods can remove content they feel is not appropriate.

[Deadmano]

Opprinnelig skrevet av ᵀʰᵉ ᴿᵒᶫᶫᶦᶰᵍ Christmas Tree:

As indicated by eram, any and all content you upload can be deleted/moved/merged/etc without any warning.

There is no such thing as freedom of speech on a privately own service that is steam.

Although I am completely against deletion of screenshot of content that is in-game regardless of how profane, grotesque, insulting, etc. It is in the rights of Valve moderators to delete anything they see fit.

Fair enough, but then they might as well add to the SoC that;

Valve reserves the right to control any and all content that you share on its platform, and also reserves the right to delete such content without further notice.

Since I still feel that I am within all stated rules, both through the SSA as well as the SOC, so to me, should it have been posted on these very forums I would understand that a moderator could remove it. But on my own profile, and following all stated rules by Valve?

[Mr.Cristian]

unfortunately Steam is not a democracy.they reserve the right to censor at will without explanation.I posted a youtube TYT video about NSA targeting gamers ,and it was locked within minutes,despite the fact that was debating gaming and gamers issues.
too hot for Steam I guess.

[Spawn of Totoro]

http://lifehacker.com/5953755/what-exactly-is-freedom-of-speech-and-how-does-it-apply-to-the-internet

I suggest reading that article. It will help you understand Freedom Of Speech as it pertains to the internet and privately owned forums (such as these).

If you want the short version:

Freedom Of Speech applies to the government, not the privately owned forums of a company

[Deadmano]

Thank you to several of you for pointing out my flaw (the mention of freedom of speech)! In my heated moment, I did indeed confuse a couple of things! And have since edited my initial post and post topic! :)

I still do feel however that, having gone through the SSA and SOC (please someone point me out if I am wrong), that no rule was broken when I uploaded that screenshot, and there is no mention that it may be removed?

Or have I not read a specific line clearly?

[Dark Lord Satan Visit Your Bum]

I don't think the problem here is that Valve are allowed to set the rules. The problem is that Steam mods are allowed to use personal discretion to censor anything they may find offensive. That seems like a bit of an overreach.

[Deadmano]

And like I said in my initial post, I really don't mind at all, and I am not arguing or wish to argue with anyone.

All I want to know, for my peace of mind, is where I went wrong, and where does it state in ANY of Valve's policies that I was not allowed to do so.