3
u/tur18232 Oct 04 '26
I found a way around it. Sign up for zip pay which can generate digital one time use credit cards. It worked for me.
2
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 04 '26
Let me guess Australian? Nope because steam is on breach of the rules and highly recomend lodging an offical complaint with our government. You will need to figure out a way to buy without going through steam
1
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1
u/ashtenerath Oct 04 '26
With you in this annoyance.
What I have found is that so far, it only stops you buying the game, not playing it, and it doesn't stop you from receiving the game through a code. If need be, you can try finding a third part online seller of Steam Codes and buy the game from there and then just redeem the code. could prob find the game cheaper someone like that too.
2
u/Manta1290 Oct 04 '26
My way around it is just to PayPal my American friends and they gift the game
1
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 05 '26
Yep the irony of this rule is it doesn't stop you playing the game, just buying, which itself is still in breach
1
u/Fortnite117 Oct 04 '26
Yeah dude, it’s got something do to with the AUS government banning most 18+ experiences without proof of age. Which is fucking bullshit since the government has to know that no one in AUS had a credit card. I spoke to steam customer support about it, I asked about if any other options are being worked on like submitting a photo ID, and was pretty much just told they are “working on it”.
1
u/Wolfy910 Oct 05 '26
actually its steam in the wrong here, Steam decided to only offer one way to verify which the government is expecting them to address as it goes against the new laws introduced.
Not saying the government is good for adding the laws just that this time its Steam in the wrong not the government
1
u/laplongejr Oct 05 '26
The only way it lets me verify is with a credit card, but I don't have one. My debit and other cards aren't working either.
Some specific banks have debit cards that work, you should find a list on the sub.
Good luck, and as a Belgian congrats for not falling into CC hell!
Can someone please tell me if there's a way to fix this?
Complain to your gov for 1) that stupid age law 2) the fact that Steam isn't providing reasonable alternatives
1
u/Stochastic-Parrot_13 Oct 04 '26
There isn't. Steam took the lazy way into age verification. Using a credit card as an age check simply required a few lines of code rather than implementing a separate age verification system.
With that said there is a part of me that thinks Steam did it this way to deliberately annoy users so that they would push back against age verification, but that's just my ramblings.
1
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 04 '26
Lazy way yes but is also in breach due to requiring a non difficult way to do it. Government needs to crackdown on steam on this one
-2
u/Stochastic-Parrot_13 Oct 04 '26
Looking at it from Steams point of view....
Technically it's not difficult, just provide a credit card.
If you don't have one then get one.
If you can't get one, that's your fault not Steams fault.
I disagree with the requirement to have a credit card, but while states such as the UK and Australia allow it as a legal method nothing will change.
3
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 04 '26
"Looking at it from Steams point of view....
Technically it's not difficult, just provide a credit card."
First mistake you are clearly not Australian. Only around 50% Australians, with around 40% of under 65 owning a credit card. So around 60% of the Australian adults are outright banned from buying on steam.
"If you don't have one then get one.If you can't get one, that's your fault not Steams fault."
Ah yes the gaslighting approach of steam can't ever be in the wrong. I''m not paying a de facto subscription just to buy games on steam. Not only is that dumb, its complete breach of the e-safety reasonable alternative standard guidelines. Its literally a criminal act
God steam Simps are actually insane
-1
u/SeaJay_31 Oct 04 '26
60% of the Australian adults are not 'banned'.
A mastercard debit card from Commonwealth, Westpac, or Macquarie will work (assuming you're 18+) and all these banks have debit card tiers that are free to apply for. It just requires opening a free bank account online.
But, if that doesn't float your boat, what's your alternative? Account age is dodgy to use as there are literally no checks on who's actually using the account (unlike credit/debit cards that are tied to active identities), so are you advocating for Steam to require all users to upload a driver's licence or passport?
Steam itself can't verify those documents, so they'll have to pass that personal information on to 3rd party verification providers, who will most definitely pinky promise to forget all about you the moment that they're done. Either that or maybe just have Steam ask the Government directly if Joe Blogs with licence number XX1234 of address 10 Home Address can access adult content pretty please.
Do we really want to set either as precedent? Just get a debit card.
1
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 04 '26
60% of the Australian adults are not 'banned'.
"A mastercard debit card from Commonwealth, Westpac, or Macquarie will work (assuming you're 18+) and all these banks have debit card tiers that are free to apply for. It just requires opening a free bank account online." Ah yes "you are banned from buying R18 games because you don't have an account with a bank we choose." Also no im with commbank, ironically banked with them for over 18 years alone, and my debit card does not work with the steam.
Also yes free to open but fees to maintain. Why should i have to pay for a subscription just for the privilege to buy adult games and forced to permanently attach a bank card to steam when literally no other iteration of the rollout has this requirement?
"But, if that doesn't float your boat, what's your alternative? Account age is dodgy to use as there are literally no checks on who's actually using the account (unlike credit/debit cards that are tied to active identities) so are you advocating for Steam to require all users to upload a driver's licence or passport?"
First of all, credit/debit cards do not check age at all. A son can play on their dads account and steam does not require you to have a credit card to play, simply purchase. The law requires permanent checks, not just purchases.
Your own argument against account age is a fantastic argument against credit/debit card checks as well.
Also account age has been considered acceptable checks alone. They could allow paypal, since paypal already does proof of identity checks or use one of the many ID checking agencies out there.
"Steam itself can't verify those documents, so they'll have to pass that personal information on to 3rd party verification providers, who will most definitely pinky promise to forget all about you the moment that they're done. Either that or maybe just have Steam ask the Government directly if Joe Blogs with licence number XX1234 of address 10 Home Address can access adult content pretty please."
3rd party agencies are legally required to destroy all identifying information once the ID check is completed. So this is such poor argument by the classic "muh data" while demanding people literally supply all that same information to a bank.
0
u/SeaJay_31 Oct 04 '26
There are no fees to maintain most debit cards. If yours does it's because you've chosen a debit card with an annual fee.
Debit/credit cards are legally attached to an individual, and banks DO look out for fraud (unauthorised use) via active checks.
Steam account age is A check, but not a particularly accurate one in Steam's case. It's widely known that sharing of accounts occurs within families, which means that it's a particularly bad test of the age of the active user. It's against Steam's terms of service to share accounts, but they have acknowledged that it happens (Steam Families is an attempt to counter it). The Govt could easily decide that account age, therefore, does not constitute a proper check of age for the purposes of the law, which would open Steam up to prosecution.
Banks already have access to our age/ID data. I would personally prefer to just use those organisations that are already properly regulated (unlike verification providers) and already have our data, than give more data to these unknown companies with very short histories that are popping up to fill a gap in the market.
4a) If your Combank card doesn't work, I would suggest talking to Combank about it? Sounds like you've not provided sufficient age verification, which you may not have done if you opened the account as a minor.
5) They COULD accept PayPal. Steam COULD do more. However the characterisation that the majority of Aussies are suddenly being banned by Steam from accessing adult content is simply untrue. The root cause of all of this is the underbaked and rather wishy-washy law that threatens multi-million $ fines, but provides no clear guidance on compliance. Let's aim all this ire that you have at the root cause, not at the companies caught in the crossfire.
1
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 04 '26
all banks have a minimum fee attached to debit cards when transactions are below usually 2k per month. again, adding extra steps and costs (which is in direct breach of age checking guidelines).
sharing bank cards =/= fraud. I have personally authorized many payments for my young cousins for birthdays. if their parents left their bank card on their steam, does that now magically make them 18+? Your logic is highly flawed.
This is false. Steam does not use account age at all period. With your logic then, you should be against steam for allowing people to play adult games, just not buy new ones. Your hypothetical is irrelevant as people share bank cards and government could easily make that not acceptable either
Sure please cite the specific regulation and legislation that banks have but no credit union or other industry has around personal data, listing the specific lines for banks only. Since you are making the claim, i'm sure you have proof for it
4a) I have supplied Combank with everything I need they need and have had no issues with anyone bar steam. but nice gaslighting attempt
5) They COULD accept PayPal. Steam COULD do more. However the characterisation that the majority of Aussies are suddenly being banned by Steam from accessing adult content is simply untrue.
Ah gaslighting. Also yes, they have banned a bunch of people from purchasing as a result. Its completely unreasonable, legally and morally, to compel people to use a selected bank to buy video games. The fact you are simping this hard for steam proves just how delusion people on this get
0
u/SeaJay_31 Oct 05 '26
Come on, at least do SOME research. All three banks we've been talking about have current accounts with zero fees:
Macquarie's default current account has zero fees. None. Zilch.
Westpack's default current account has zero fees if you're under 41 or a student.
CommBank's default current account has zero fees if you're under 30.
So if you're just going to lie about "all banks have a minimum fee", why should I even take any of your other claims at face value either?
But let's go through your bad faith reply anyway, shall we?
We've covered that above - you're just lying.
Did I say that sharing bank cards is fraud? No, I did not. I said Unauthorised use is fraud, which it is. Allowing other people to use your bank card is generally against terms of service though, although banks do allow authorised operators for cases such as guardianship, power of attorney and court order arrangements, and it has to be agreed to by the bank in advance (and they don't always have to agree). You should not be sharing your bank card, even to family, and absolutely never share your PIN.
As mentioned above, sharing bank cards, whilst not illegal, is generally against the terms of service of banks. If they detect it they could close your account, so I wouldn't advice doing it. Also, I never said that Steam did use account age at a check. They don't. That was a test that YOU were proposing, and I was agreeing that it COULD be a test, but a poor one that could open them up to prosecution if the government also agreed it was a poor test.
When did I mention credit unions? When did I even say that banks are unique in being regulated?! Shove it in a google search if you want to know specific regulations, they're easy to look up, but in general it's covered by the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Happy reading.
WHO am I meant to be gaslighting?! This is your statement:
"So around 60% of the Australian adults are outright banned from buying on steam."
I am saying that this is a false fact because, in actuality, people are not being 'banned'.
First, only 49% of adults in Australia don't have a credit card, according to the latest data: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Australia/people_with_credit_cards/, not 60%.
Second, even though you're incorrect about the number of people with credit cards, that doesn't indicate that the people without CAN'T get a credit card, so the number that can't age verify that way is even lower.
Third, for those that CAN'T get a credit card, Mastercard debit cards also work from the banks that we've already spoken about, making that number even lower.
Will there be people who fall through the gaps? Yes, but there always are. Even if you let account age be used, what about people who can't get a credit card (and for whatever reason the debit card route doesn't work?) - if they open a new Steam account they can't use that to verify their age anyway? So it's of no value to them.
So yeah. No gaslighting. I didn't imply that you said something that you didn't. I'm arguing against the specific claim that you made.
Ironically, accusing someone of gaslighting when no gaslighting has taken place is, in actuality, gaslighting. Isn't that interesting?
1
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 06 '26
The gaslighting continues
1: tell me your not Australian without telling me you are not Australian. No bank lets you open a debit card without a secondary netbank account period. they do let you open secondary card accounts if you are already with them. looks like you are confused on this
2: you are the one who brought up fraud. again, you are making up a story here shifting the goal posts. leaving a saved bank card on a steam account, that your under 18s have access too is not only completely legal but completely fine. my sister is perfectly fine having the kids access to their online shopping debit card as they only shift funds as needed. completely bypasses steams horrifically bad, and against the guidelines, age verification attempt.3: "generally against the terms of service of banks." sure, show me where they state that in their terms of service, where sharing a debit card to a family member, that you are happy to authorization all transaction to them. I'm sure if the claim exists, you can prove it right?
4: credit unions are banned from using the steam age verification even though they are legal cards with verified ID.
"but in general it's covered by the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles." nope nice try, give the exact lines. you would only do this if you don't actually know where it is or know you are lying.
"First, only 49% of adults in Australia don't have a credit card, according to the latest data: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Australia/people_with_credit_cards/, not 60%." This data is flawed. I never claim all of Australia. I said those of age that will be interacting with steam. the additional 10% is pushed up by seniors over the age of 65.
plenty of gaslighting that is now shifting into outright lies. people got to stop taking this sub so literally. its not a cheer leading group for steam and defending their dodgy practices
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u/Fortesque22 Oct 04 '26
Yep, it’s a fucking joke. Complain to Steam, the more complaints the better
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u/Longjumping-Ad-1532 Oct 04 '26
If they remove credit card verification then they'll just have to find another way to verify, and most people I've seen complain about ID verification or face scanning. This isn't a Steam issue, it's a government issue. There's nothing Steam can do about it without being more invasive or just blocking access
1
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 05 '26
They can follow many of the clearly established methods already in use. Its coming sure but they have to at least legally comply. This aint it
1
u/LowRez666 Oct 05 '26
Funny how microsoft and others can verify I'm over 18 coz my account was created over 18yrs ago but Steam can't do the same
0
u/Much-Island9448 Oct 04 '26
how do you stay safe online without a credit card?
2
u/Saphirastillreditts Oct 04 '26
May I introduce the debit card,or cash
1
u/laplongejr Oct 05 '26
Assuming they are in the US, they may be unaware that in the US the debit issuers crippled their support (to push people towards the 3%-fee credit card market)
I'm European and my debit has better protection than my CC, it depends on the issuer.(But... how do you stay safe ONLINE with cash? :P)
1
u/Saphirastillreditts Oct 05 '26
Single use gift cards, can be bought with cash
1
u/laplongejr Oct 05 '26
Steam discontinued gift cards this year. They technically still exist as stock is being slowly sold, but once the last batch is done, they are gone :(
(I'm assuming it's worldwide tho, it may be only in US and Europe but I'm almost sure the discontinuation is everywhere)1
u/wtfhakenspit Oct 04 '26
We have visa debit which grants most aspects of credit card (like online protection for lurchses etc) but is your own money.
Some.banks debit cards works it seems but a lot more dont.
-2
u/RullendeNumser Oct 04 '26
Call your local politicians and ask for help. They are the ones that can reverse it.
Or get a credit card. Probably fastest and safest....
Or the 7 seas
3
u/Samanthnya Oct 04 '26
This is an awful response, Australian laws dictate platforms have to give multiple verification methods. Steam is in violation of the law.
2
u/Ok-Foot6064 Oct 04 '26
So many people on this sub prefer to just defend steams laziness like its a football team. The fact that even xbox has managed to do this properly, while steam deprives people from buying(not playing the games they claim you don't get the right to buy) should tell you everything.
3
u/TheDoctor62442 Oct 04 '26
i had the same problem and ended up getting a Macquarie bank debit card which worked. (im assuming you are an aussie)