Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Discord

2025-01-17T05:18:46Z

SpaceDust: Added to the arbitration part

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = Discord
| Release Year = 2015
| Product Type = Messaging/VoIP Platform
| In Production = Yes
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg|thumb|The logo for Discord
}}
Discord is a proprietary VoIP and instant messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel). Launched in 2015, the service has grown to over 150 million monthly active users as of 2025. While primarily marketed toward gamers, Discord has expanded to serve various communities and use cases.<ref name="about-company">[https://discord.com/company/ "About Discord | Our Mission and Values"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>

== Consumer Protection Profile ==

==== Privacy ====
'''Status:''' Significant Concerns
* Collects extensive user data including messages, voice communications, and server participation<ref name="privacy-policy">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
* Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with unclear retention periods<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Processes user content for safety features and platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* May store deleted messages for undefined periods<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Claims broad rights to user-generated content through terms of service<ref name="terms-of-service">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>

==== Transparency ====
'''Status:''' Moderate Concerns
* Privacy policy written in relatively clear language compared to industry standards<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Provides clear community guidelines with defined enforcement procedures<ref name="community-guidelines">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
* Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions<ref name="community-guidelines"/>
* Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Server ban appeals process lacks transparency<ref name="community-guidelines"/>
* Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Vague about specific data retention timeframes<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy"/>

==== Freedom ====
'''Status:''' Significant Concerns
* Mandatory binding arbitration with class action waiver for U.S. users<ref name="terms-of-service"/> (Users could opt out until May 15 2024 via email<ref name="terms-of-service" />)
* Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes<ref name="terms-of-service"/>
* Can terminate accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion<ref name="terms-of-service"/>
* Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content<ref name="terms-of-service"/>
* No option to opt-out of core data collection while using the service<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned<ref name="terms-of-service"/>
* Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions<ref name="terms-of-service"/>

== Forced Arbitration ==
[[File:Discord Terms Of Service update notice.png|thumb]]
Forced arbitration was added to discord's Terms of Service on April 15 2024<ref name="terms-of-service" />. This was notified to users via an email on March 30th 2024. Users could opt out of this by sending an email to opt-out notice to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com until May 15 2024. There is no longer a way to opt out of this as of January 16 2025.

== Consumer Protection Incidents ==

==== FTC Data Collection Investigation (Sep. 2024) ====
In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data collection practices as part of a broader investigation into social media platforms.<ref>[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services"]. September 2024. ''Federal Trade Commission''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>

The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
* Message content and metadata
* Voice chat participation
* Server membership and activity
* Device and location information

Particular concern was raised about:
* Collection of data from users under 13
* Handling of minor user information
* Inadequate age verification systems

The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
* Identity theft exposure
* Potential stalking risks
* Discrimination concerns
* Mental health and emotional impact

The FTC concluded that Discord's data practices created unacceptable risks for users, particularly minors, and called for significant reforms to the platform's privacy protection measures.<ref>Tolentino, Daysia (September 19, 2024). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'"]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>

==== Child Safety Concerns (Jun. 2023) ====
An [[NBC News]] investigation in June 2023<ref>Goggin, Ben (June 21, 2023). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions"]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref> uncovered widespread child safety issues on Discord, revealing systematic problems with the platform's user protection measures.

35 separate cases were identified where adults were criminally charged with "kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault" involving contacts initiated through Discord. Additionally, 165 criminal prosecutions involving the sharing of child sexual exploitation material on the platform were documented.

Discord stated they had increased safety measures, including:
* Enhanced age verification systems
* Improved automated detection tools
* Increased moderation staff

Despite these measures, investigations showed continuing vulnerabilities in Discord's youth protection systems.<ref>Winston, Ali (March 15, 2024). [https://web.archive.org/web/20250101094320/https://www.wired.com/story/764-com-child-predator-network/ "There Are Dark Corners of the Internet. Then There's 764"]. ''WIRED''. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>

==== Fined for GDPR Violations (Nov. 2022) ====
In November 2022, France's privacy regulator [[CNIL]] imposed an €800,000 fine on Discord for multiple GDPR violations<ref>Brunoli, Joseph (November 18, 2022). [https://www.techzine.eu/news/privacy-compliance/94722/france-fines-discord-e800000-for-privacy-infractions/ "France fines Discord €800,000 for privacy infractions"]. ''Techzine Europe''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref> that demonstrated systematic privacy protection failures:
* Background Process Violation: The application continued running in the background after users attempted to close it, collecting data without user awareness or consent
* Voice Chat Privacy Issue: The platform failed to properly disconnect users from voice chats after session termination, potentially exposing private communications
* Security Standards Violation: Discord allowed users to create passwords with as few as six characters, falling below accepted security standards for protecting user accounts
* Data Protection Failures: The investigation revealed broader systematic failures in Discord's approach to user privacy protection and data handling

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Product Line]][[Category:Product]][[Category:Companies]]

File:Discord Terms Of Service update notice.png

2025-01-17T05:16:19Z

SpaceDust:

This was sent to users on March 30th 2024 to let them know about the April 15th 2024 Terms of Service update which added forced arbitration.

Steam

2025-01-15T05:09:34Z

SpaceDust: Made it les accusatory

Steam is a gaming platform owned by [[Valve|Valve Corporation]] where users can buy games and download them to a computer. Users launch their games through the steam program and can also stream their games to a mobile device with the steam app.

== Purchasing Games ==
Through the Steam program or the Steam website and mobile app, users can buy games to add to their library. Steam uses a button that says "purchase" when you buy a game, however according to their [https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ subscriber agreement] you do not truly own these games. Steam has control of the games you own and can also force you to update or can remove your games at any time. Steam uses the word purchase incorrectly as you are not gaining ownership when you press the purchase button.

== Steam Subscriber Agreement ==
Below is the steam subscriber agreement that users agree to when obtaining games on steam.

"As a Subscriber you may obtain access to certain services, software and content available to Subscribers or purchase certain Hardware (as defined below) on Steam. The Steam client software and any other software, content, and updates you download or access via Steam, including but not limited to Valve or third-party video games and in-game content, software associated with Hardware and any virtual items you trade, sell or purchase in a Steam Subscription Marketplace are referred to in this Agreement as "Content and Services;" the rights to access and/or use any Content and Services accessible through Steam are referred to in this Agreement as "Subscriptions."

Each Subscription allows you to access particular Content and Services. Some Subscriptions may impose additional terms specific to that Subscription ("Subscription Terms") (for example, an end user license agreement specific to a particular game, or terms of use specific to a particular product or feature of Steam). Also, additional terms (for example, payment and billing procedures) may be posted on <nowiki>http://www.steampowered.com</nowiki> or within the Steam service ("Rules of Use"). Rules of Use include the Steam Online Conduct Rules <nowiki>http://steampowered.com/index.php?area=online_conduct</nowiki> and the Steam Refund Policy <nowiki>http://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds</nowiki>. The Subscription Terms, the Rules of Use, and the Valve Privacy Policy (which can be found at <nowiki>http://www.valvesoftware.com/privacy.htm</nowiki>) are binding on you once you indicate your acceptance of them or of this Agreement, or otherwise become bound by them as described in Section 8 (Amendments to this Agreement).-Steam Subscriber

"Steam and your Subscription(s) require the download and installation of Content and Services onto your computer. Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a non-exclusive license and right, to use the Content and Services for your personal, non-commercial use (except where commercial use is expressly allowed herein or in the applicable Subscription Terms). This license ends upon termination of (a) this Agreement or (b) a Subscription that includes the license. The Content and Services are licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Content and Services. To make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet." -Steam Subscriber Agreement.

[[File:Steam Subscriber Agreement.png|thumb|[[File:Steam purchase screen.png|thumb|Steam purchase button]]The steam subscriber agreement]]
Purchases are referred to as content and services that you do not truly own or have control of their games or items which could potentially mislead users.

Steam

2025-01-15T05:05:54Z

SpaceDust: Added link to valve

Steam is a gaming platform owned by [[Valve|Valve Corporation]] where users can buy games and download them to a computer. Users launch their games through the steam program and can also stream their games to a mobile device with the steam app.

== Purchasing Games ==
Through the Steam program or the Steam website and mobile app, users can buy games to add to their library. Steam uses a button that says "purchase" when you buy a game, however according to their [https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ subscriber agreement] you do not truly own these games. Steam has control of the games you own and can also force you to update or can remove your games at any time. Steam uses the word purchase incorrectly as you are not gaining ownership when you press the purchase button.

== Steam Subscriber Agreement ==
Below is the steam subscriber agreement that users agree to when obtaining games on steam.

"As a Subscriber you may obtain access to certain services, software and content available to Subscribers or purchase certain Hardware (as defined below) on Steam. The Steam client software and any other software, content, and updates you download or access via Steam, including but not limited to Valve or third-party video games and in-game content, software associated with Hardware and any virtual items you trade, sell or purchase in a Steam Subscription Marketplace are referred to in this Agreement as "Content and Services;" the rights to access and/or use any Content and Services accessible through Steam are referred to in this Agreement as "Subscriptions."

Each Subscription allows you to access particular Content and Services. Some Subscriptions may impose additional terms specific to that Subscription ("Subscription Terms") (for example, an end user license agreement specific to a particular game, or terms of use specific to a particular product or feature of Steam). Also, additional terms (for example, payment and billing procedures) may be posted on <nowiki>http://www.steampowered.com</nowiki> or within the Steam service ("Rules of Use"). Rules of Use include the Steam Online Conduct Rules <nowiki>http://steampowered.com/index.php?area=online_conduct</nowiki> and the Steam Refund Policy <nowiki>http://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds</nowiki>. The Subscription Terms, the Rules of Use, and the Valve Privacy Policy (which can be found at <nowiki>http://www.valvesoftware.com/privacy.htm</nowiki>) are binding on you once you indicate your acceptance of them or of this Agreement, or otherwise become bound by them as described in Section 8 (Amendments to this Agreement).-Steam Subscriber

"Steam and your Subscription(s) require the download and installation of Content and Services onto your computer. Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a non-exclusive license and right, to use the Content and Services for your personal, non-commercial use (except where commercial use is expressly allowed herein or in the applicable Subscription Terms). This license ends upon termination of (a) this Agreement or (b) a Subscription that includes the license. The Content and Services are licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Content and Services. To make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet." -Steam Subscriber Agreement.

[[File:Steam Subscriber Agreement.png|thumb|[[File:Steam purchase screen.png|thumb|Steam purchase button]]The steam subscriber agreement]]
Purchases are referred to as content and services that you do not truly own or have control of further showing how steam is incorrectly using a word and misleading their users.

Steam

2025-01-15T05:02:52Z

SpaceDust: Added some additional Information in the subscriber agreement section.

Steam is a gaming platform owned by Valve Corporation where users can buy games and download them to a computer. Users launch their games through the steam program and can also stream their games to a mobile device with the steam app.

== Purchasing Games ==
Through the Steam program or the Steam website and mobile app, users can buy games to add to their library. Steam uses a button that says "purchase" when you buy a game, however according to their [https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ subscriber agreement] you do not truly own these games. Steam has control of the games you own and can also force you to update or can remove your games at any time. Steam uses the word purchase incorrectly as you are not gaining ownership when you press the purchase button.

== Steam Subscriber Agreement ==
Below is the steam subscriber agreement that users agree to when obtaining games on steam.

"As a Subscriber you may obtain access to certain services, software and content available to Subscribers or purchase certain Hardware (as defined below) on Steam. The Steam client software and any other software, content, and updates you download or access via Steam, including but not limited to Valve or third-party video games and in-game content, software associated with Hardware and any virtual items you trade, sell or purchase in a Steam Subscription Marketplace are referred to in this Agreement as "Content and Services;" the rights to access and/or use any Content and Services accessible through Steam are referred to in this Agreement as "Subscriptions."

Each Subscription allows you to access particular Content and Services. Some Subscriptions may impose additional terms specific to that Subscription ("Subscription Terms") (for example, an end user license agreement specific to a particular game, or terms of use specific to a particular product or feature of Steam). Also, additional terms (for example, payment and billing procedures) may be posted on <nowiki>http://www.steampowered.com</nowiki> or within the Steam service ("Rules of Use"). Rules of Use include the Steam Online Conduct Rules <nowiki>http://steampowered.com/index.php?area=online_conduct</nowiki> and the Steam Refund Policy <nowiki>http://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds</nowiki>. The Subscription Terms, the Rules of Use, and the Valve Privacy Policy (which can be found at <nowiki>http://www.valvesoftware.com/privacy.htm</nowiki>) are binding on you once you indicate your acceptance of them or of this Agreement, or otherwise become bound by them as described in Section 8 (Amendments to this Agreement).-Steam Subscriber

"Steam and your Subscription(s) require the download and installation of Content and Services onto your computer. Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a non-exclusive license and right, to use the Content and Services for your personal, non-commercial use (except where commercial use is expressly allowed herein or in the applicable Subscription Terms). This license ends upon termination of (a) this Agreement or (b) a Subscription that includes the license. The Content and Services are licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Content and Services. To make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet." -Steam Subscriber Agreement.

[[File:Steam Subscriber Agreement.png|thumb|[[File:Steam purchase screen.png|thumb|Steam purchase button]]The steam subscriber agreement]]
Purchases are referred to as content and services that you do not truly own or have control of further showing how steam is incorrectly using a word and misleading their users.

Steam

2025-01-15T05:01:20Z

SpaceDust: Created a page for steam

Steam is a gaming platform owned by Valve Corporation where users can buy games and download them to a computer. Users launch their games through the steam program and can also stream their games to a mobile device with the steam app.

== Purchasing Games ==
Through the Steam program or the Steam website and mobile app, users can buy games to add to their library. Steam uses a button that says "purchase" when you buy a game, however according to their [https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ subscriber agreement] you do not truly own these games. Steam has control of the games you own and can also force you to update or can remove your games at any time. Steam uses the word purchase incorrectly as you are not gaining ownership when you press the purchase button.

== Steam Subscriber Agreement ==
"As a Subscriber you may obtain access to certain services, software and content available to Subscribers or purchase certain Hardware (as defined below) on Steam. The Steam client software and any other software, content, and updates you download or access via Steam, including but not limited to Valve or third-party video games and in-game content, software associated with Hardware and any virtual items you trade, sell or purchase in a Steam Subscription Marketplace are referred to in this Agreement as "Content and Services;" the rights to access and/or use any Content and Services accessible through Steam are referred to in this Agreement as "Subscriptions."

Each Subscription allows you to access particular Content and Services. Some Subscriptions may impose additional terms specific to that Subscription ("Subscription Terms") (for example, an end user license agreement specific to a particular game, or terms of use specific to a particular product or feature of Steam). Also, additional terms (for example, payment and billing procedures) may be posted on <nowiki>http://www.steampowered.com</nowiki> or within the Steam service ("Rules of Use"). Rules of Use include the Steam Online Conduct Rules <nowiki>http://steampowered.com/index.php?area=online_conduct</nowiki> and the Steam Refund Policy <nowiki>http://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds</nowiki>. The Subscription Terms, the Rules of Use, and the Valve Privacy Policy (which can be found at <nowiki>http://www.valvesoftware.com/privacy.htm</nowiki>) are binding on you once you indicate your acceptance of them or of this Agreement, or otherwise become bound by them as described in Section 8 (Amendments to this Agreement).-Steam Subscriber

"Steam and your Subscription(s) require the download and installation of Content and Services onto your computer. Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a non-exclusive license and right, to use the Content and Services for your personal, non-commercial use (except where commercial use is expressly allowed herein or in the applicable Subscription Terms). This license ends upon termination of (a) this Agreement or (b) a Subscription that includes the license. The Content and Services are licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Content and Services. To make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet." -Steam Subscriber Agreement.

[[File:Steam Subscriber Agreement.png|thumb|[[File:Steam purchase screen.png|thumb|Steam purchase button]]The steam subscriber agreement]]
Purchases are referred to as content and services that you do not truly own or have control of further showing how steam is incorrectly using a word and misleading their users.

File:Steam Subscriber Agreement.png

2025-01-15T04:49:08Z

SpaceDust:

This is the steam subscriber agreement as of 1/14/25