profile name change to numbers/hijacking?

[swillfly]

anybody else get this? seems like it's happening to other users as well

[( ( < < <20🤖1> > > ) )]

the number changes that fix when
right click and press
reload is a steam server issue..

[76561199070279760]

if you put a shady site in your name you get a name and profile pic ban that resets your pic to a question mark and your name to numbers

[secuda]

Its a bugg discovered few weeks ago.
Allthough usually its to hide inaproprate names like your "favorite" german dictator or more likley third party scam sites.

[Bun.E]

its a forum bug but I believe it also happens when a profile name gets banned.

[( ( < < <20🤖1> > > ) )]

i think i was reading in the serious steam forum that they are actively starting
to crack down on adverts in profile names as well... i think this is a good thing..

[swillfly]

I've had my handle for probably about a decade... nuthin "shady" about my acct. That ain't it. And if it's a Steam server issue then... where is the sticky/notification/info. on? I tried searching the forums for profile name change and couldn't find anything relevant.

Moderator(s)? Hullo?
Please move this thread to appropriate forum. I didn't know where to post but as it occurred in OT I left it here. Thx.

[76561199070279760]

I think users steam names being read by an ai like our posts which might explain why it would suddenly not display names as the ai is learning what is a banned name and whats an ok name

[swillfly]

Well, if Steam are utilizing AI for forum moderating/parsing then I have no complaints as I endorsed that eventuality ages ago - despite being very unpopular with folks.

If it's just a Steam forum hiccup then that is fine.

I *wish* an actual Steam (employee) Global Moderator could address this/post a notice/sticky/whatever info. so my paranoia doesn't make me nuts.

[swillfly]

Updated Answer:
I opened a Steam Support ticket and they explained the phenomena thus:

Names are changed to a string of random numbers when they are reset by moderation or support staff. We reset names that go against the Steam community rules.

That's all fine but it doesn't explain Why my handle -which in no manner violates any rules- was briefly changed to various numbers.

Apparently the community consensus that it is a Steam server glitch is the best, albeit vague, answer.

I guess the Support folks don't know why this occurs either. So there you have it.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by swillfly:

I've had my handle for probably about a decade... nuthin "shady" about my acct. That ain't it. And if it's a Steam server issue then... where is the sticky/notification/info. on? I tried searching the forums for profile name change and couldn't find anything relevant.

Moderator(s)? Hullo?
Please move this thread to appropriate forum. I didn't know where to post but as it occurred in OT I left it here. Thx.

Couple things.

Entire threads and forums where you see numbers, server issues. Been a thing that has gotten worse over the past month or 3...

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/3114770913746436416/

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/3119273879038179159/

Advertising in names is now something support removes...

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/3113648183797675322/

Originally posted by swillfly:

I *wish* an actual Steam (employee) Global Moderator could address this/post a notice/sticky/whatever info. so my paranoia doesn't make me nuts.

Some things that Valve plays with isn't something a mod will always know about either.

[swillfly]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Originally posted by swillfly:

I've had my handle for probably about a decade... nuthin "shady" about my acct. That ain't it. And if it's a Steam server issue then... where is the sticky/notification/info. on? I tried searching the forums for profile name change and couldn't find anything relevant.

Moderator(s)? Hullo?
Please move this thread to appropriate forum. I didn't know where to post but as it occurred in OT I left it here. Thx.

Couple things.

Entire threads and forums where you see numbers, server issues. Been a thing that has gotten worse over the past month or 3...

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/3114770913746436416/

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/3119273879038179159/

Advertising in names is now something support removes...

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/3113648183797675322/

Originally posted by swillfly:

I *wish* an actual Steam (employee) Global Moderator could address this/post a notice/sticky/whatever info. so my paranoia doesn't make me nuts.

Some things that Valve plays with isn't something a mod will always know about either.

:qr:

Ah, that's true. Mods probably aren't in the Valverberg group of knowing (or having access to) the Information.

Hotsauce, you have (once again) provided clarity! Thx!

I still think Valve should give you an honorary title or cookie at least for helping folks out.