Valve’s Terms of Service Prohibits Leaving Steam Accounts in Wills
Valve’s terms of service explicitly state that Steam accounts and their contents are non-transferable, meaning that users are unable to leave their accounts to friends or family members in their wills. This was recently highlighted by a Resetera user who shared the response they received from Steam Support when inquiring about transferring ownership of their account. The response was clear — Steam accounts cannot be transferred via a will.
While some users may consider sharing their password with a loved one as a workaround, this too is prohibited by Valve’s Subscriber Agreement. The agreement strictly prohibits the sharing of passwords or allowing others to use the account without specific authorization from Valve.
As such, those with extensive Steam libraries may need to reconsider their estate planning strategies to ensure that their digital assets are handled appropriately upon their passing. It’s a reminder that even in the digital age, there are limitations to what can be done with online accounts after death.
Legal Implications of Digital Assets in Estate Planning
The issue of leaving digital assets such as Steam accounts in wills raises broader questions about the treatment of digital assets in estate planning. As more aspects of our lives move online, from social media accounts to digital libraries, it becomes increasingly important to consider how these assets will be handled after death.
Currently, there is no clear legal framework for the inheritance of digital assets, leading to confusion and uncertainty for individuals looking to include these assets in their estate plans. While some platforms, like Steam, have strict policies against transferring ownership, others may have more flexible approaches.
This highlights the need for legislation that addresses the inheritance of digital assets and provides guidelines for individuals looking to include these assets in their wills. Until such laws are in place, it is important for individuals to be aware of platform-specific policies and to carefully consider how their digital assets will be handled in the event of their passing.
Protecting Your Digital Legacy: Alternatives to Leaving Steam Accounts in Wills
In light of the restrictions on transferring Steam accounts in wills, individuals may need to explore alternative ways to ensure that their digital assets are handled according to their wishes. One option is to create a digital estate plan that outlines how online accounts should be managed after death.
This plan can include instructions for accessing and managing digital assets, as well as designating a trusted individual to carry out these tasks. It may also be helpful to store passwords and account information in a secure location that can be accessed by a designated executor.
Additionally, individuals may want to consider backing up important digital files and creating a list of online accounts and passwords for their loved ones to reference in the event of their passing. By taking proactive steps to protect their digital legacy, individuals can ensure that their online accounts are managed in accordance with their wishes and avoid any potential conflicts or issues with platform policies.
