00:00Despite increasing restrictions around adult content across the internet, you can still find X-rated stuff on Steam.
00:06While Valve has historically tried to take a hands-off approach to moderation, at least in principle,
00:12it was a pretty contentious topic between Gabe Newell and the company's top lawyer.
00:16According to a report from Bloomberg, based on interviews with anonymous former Valve employees,
00:21there was significant internal debate over whether not-safe-for-work content should be allowed on Steam.
00:27One anecdote from the report highlights just how heated those discussions could get.
00:32According to a person who recalled the incident, Newell ripped into General Counsel Carl Quackenbush
00:37when the lawyer argued for a more hands-on approach to moderation.
00:41What the F do I pay you for if that's your opinion? Newell reportedly interjected.
00:46Valve's decision to take a lighter-touch approach has also shown that content moderation
00:51isn't really something a platform can stay completely hands-off about.
00:55As pressure from global payment processors has increased, releasing adult content has become even more restrictive.
01:02And even if you're not interested in X-rated games, the ban of artsy horror games like Horses
01:07offers a good example of how these policies can spill over into other corners of Steam.
01:12Looking back, it's fair to wonder whether Quackenbush's approach might have saved Valve a few headaches along the way.
01:18Bye.
01:18Bye.
01:18Bye.
01:18Bye.
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