Steam has recently begun banning games that violate the "rules and standards" of payment processors and banks. This move is seen by many as a disguised content censorship, which has a significant impact on adult games. In this regard, Yoko Taro, the creator of the "NieR" series, said that this is not only detrimental to the game, but even "endangers democracy itself."
Yoko Taro wrote on Twitter: "Regarding the refusal of credit card payment companies to provide payment processing for legal adult content - publishing and related industries have always been subject to restrictions beyond the law itself, but when payment processors, who control the content distribution infrastructure, can decide these things on their own initiative, I think it is an unprecedented danger."
Payment services such as PayPal, Visa and MasterCard wield enormous power because they are deeply embedded in the global financial system. Most countries and regions around the world rely on them for payments. Once these companies decide not to support a certain type of product, it will be extremely difficult to commercialize related content.
However, Yoko Taro pointed out that the problem is not limited to money. He further warned: "This means that as long as the payment processor is controlled, even the freedom of speech in other countries can be censored."
Steam previously confirmed that its decision to remove some games was due to "recent notifications stating that some games on Steam may violate the rules and standards set by payment processors and their related card networks and banks."
In the UK, payment methods supported by Steam include PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Skrill, PaySafe Card and Trustly. These payment companies come from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Japan, but their decisions can affect product distribution and content review in many countries around the world.
Yoko Taro concluded: "I feel this is not just a matter of censorship of adult content, not just a threat to freedom of expression, but a security hole that threatens democracy itself."
Previously, Australian "anti-pornography organization" Collective Shout claimed responsibility for this change in Steam's content policy. The organization calls itself a "grassroots movement against the objectification of women and sexualization of girls" and successfully pushed Target and Walmart in Australia to remove "Give Him Love 5" from their shelves.