重點資訊
Valve has updated its Steam Subscriber Agreement to include a clause affecting users in Japan, stipulating that unused wallet funds may expire six months after being added. This change, introduced in April, has caused concern among the gaming community regarding the potential loss of account balances.
The modification is a direct response to Japan's Payment Services Act (PSA), which aims to protect consumers by ensuring payment systems are secure. Under this law, companies must provide financial guarantees, such as security deposits, if unused balances exceed certain thresholds. However, the regulation includes an exception for instruments with short expiration dates, allowing companies to avoid these deposits by implementing a six-month usage window.
Despite the update to the agreement, a Steam spokesperson confirmed to Automaton that the expiration system is not yet operational for Japanese residents. The company has not provided a specific date for when this policy will take effect, though they noted that users will be notified via email when funds are set to expire.
This regulatory requirement is exclusive to Japan and does not apply to users in other regions. The PSA has previously impacted other gaming services, such as the expiration of codes for physical editions of games. There is currently no indication that these specific measures will be implemented outside of the Japanese market.
