Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[The_Explorer]

I just realized.

Russian game developers can still take money out if they are a developer on STEAM (at least if they sell trading cards and steam cash shop stuff, they get a small percentage of that income)

Steam has thus far refused to take a stance on this, meaning russians can use steam to launder money (which has been and can be done actually), which can then go to their invasion of ukraine.

I am hesitant to uninstall steam, but its making me want to. All my games are on steam sadly :|

I'm sorry, what? Are you seriously suggesting the Russian government is going to consider laundering Steam cards to fund its war? That's absurd.

Wouldn't be too surprising

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3183486955457307229/

While its just one thread, I did look and some of the market prices spike suspiciously high. And 400-600 USD is no joke.

Inside that thread are two links someone put up, I'll need to look at them better in the morning than a glance through, but half way awake and tired as heck. But looks like...ruples are involved at least, which shows russia or people inside russia is involved

https://www.pcgamer.com/personal-investigation-of-suspicious-tf2-earbud-trading-uncovers-potentially-nefarious-scheme/

https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/15/3648530/team-fortress-2-player-discovers-apparent-russian-trading-scheme-at

[George_Chickens]

I just realized.

Russian game developers can still take money out if they are a developer on STEAM (at least if they sell trading cards and steam cash shop stuff, they get a small percentage of that income)

Steam has thus far refused to take a stance on this, meaning russians can use steam to launder money (which has been and can be done actually), which can then go to their invasion of ukraine.

I am hesitant to uninstall steam, but its making me want to. All my games are on steam sadly :|

I'm sorry, what? Are you seriously suggesting the Russian government is going to consider laundering Steam cards to fund its war? That's absurd.

Wouldn't be too surprising

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3183486955457307229/

While its just one thread, I did look and some of the market prices spike suspiciously high. And 400-600 USD is no joke.

Inside that thread are two links, I'll need to look at them better but half way awake and tired as heck. But looks like...ruples are involved at least, which is russian currency

https://www.pcgamer.com/personal-investigation-of-suspicious-tf2-earbud-trading-uncovers-potentially-nefarious-scheme/

https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/15/3648530/team-fortress-2-player-discovers-apparent-russian-trading-scheme-at

These are Russian criminals laundering comparatively small amounts of money. Not the hundreds of millions to billions necessary to field a modern war. Russia still has access to Chinese and Indian markets and debt, which would make far more sense to go for, rather than a service that could be cut off at any time if actual laundering takes place.

This reminds me of the time people said Saddam was buying thousands of Playstation 2s to get past sanctions so he could stage 9/11 part 2. I am very disappointed that people could fall for fearmongering like this on Bay12.

[The_Explorer]

I just realized.

Russian game developers can still take money out if they are a developer on STEAM (at least if they sell trading cards and steam cash shop stuff, they get a small percentage of that income)

Steam has thus far refused to take a stance on this, meaning russians can use steam to launder money (which has been and can be done actually), which can then go to their invasion of ukraine.

I am hesitant to uninstall steam, but its making me want to. All my games are on steam sadly :|

I'm sorry, what? Are you seriously suggesting the Russian government is going to consider laundering Steam cards to fund its war? That's absurd.

Wouldn't be too surprising

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/3183486955457307229/

While its just one thread, I did look and some of the market prices spike suspiciously high. And 400-600 USD is no joke.

Inside that thread are two links, I'll need to look at them better but half way awake and tired as heck. But looks like...ruples are involved at least, which is russian currency

https://www.pcgamer.com/personal-investigation-of-suspicious-tf2-earbud-trading-uncovers-potentially-nefarious-scheme/

https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/15/3648530/team-fortress-2-player-discovers-apparent-russian-trading-scheme-at

These are Russian criminals laundering comparatively small amounts of money. Not the hundreds of millions to billions necessary to field a modern war. Russia still has access to Chinese and Indian markets and debt, which would make far more sense to go for, rather than a service that could be cut off at any time if actual laundering takes place.

This reminds me of the time people said Saddam was buying thousands of Playstation 2s to get past sanctions so he could stage 9/11 part 2. I am very disappointed that people could fall for fearmongering like this on Bay12.

ah, and disappointngly in my half asleep state...this is also really old news and its being brought up on the steam forums like its new :| one of those articles is way back in 2012...

[Laterigrade]

I just realized.

Russian game developers can still take money out if they are a developer on STEAM (at least if they sell trading cards and steam cash shop stuff, they get a small percentage of that income)

Steam has thus far refused to take a stance on this, meaning russians can use steam to launder money (which has been and can be done actually), which can then go to their invasion of ukraine.

I am hesitant to uninstall steam, but its making me want to. All my games are on steam sadly :|

I'm sorry, what? Are you seriously suggesting the Russian government is going to consider laundering Steam cards to fund its war? That's absurd.

truth stranger than fiction!
(I hope it’s true, in a roundabout way, because it would be hilarious)

[martinuzz]

They have a right to speak but I reserve the right to decry any company that supports such speech.

Indeed. The right to freedom of speech cannot go without the right to put your fingers in your ears and say lalala I can't hear you.

[The_Explorer]

That steam stuff is old news, from way back in 2012/2013. Sadly I should have looked more carefully and maybe not so willingly shared it when I was half asleep Sorry Looks like people are spreading that info around like its new, but it isn't at all.

[EuchreJack]

They have a right to speak but I reserve the right to decry any company that supports such speech.

Indeed. The right to freedom of speech cannot go without the right to put your fingers in your ears and say lalala I can't hear you.

Imagine the internet existed 150 years ago.  The United States is divided on the Slavery issue.
Both Abolitionists and Slave Holders have opinions on the matter.  The Civil War hasn't yet resolved this matter in favor of the Abolitionists.
In order to ensure the Abolitionists are allowed to advocate for an end to slavery, the Law must also protect the right of the other side to say their wickedness.
Freedom of Speech comes down to the basic understanding that what is right may not be popular, so you can't restrict speech based upon whether its agreeable.

That steam stuff is old news, from way back in 2012/2013. Sadly I should have looked more carefully and maybe not so willingly shared it when I was half asleep Sorry Looks like people are spreading that info around like its new, but it isn't at all.

I respect both your right to spread misinformation and your maturity to correct your honest mistake.

[hector13]

Freedom of speech means the government can’t act against you because of what you say, it doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to suggest you stop being a prick.

[MaxTheFox]

Freedom of speech means the government can’t act against you because of what you say, it doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to suggest you stop being a prick.

People on a forum aren't the government. Nor are the forum admins for that matter. That's why people were banned for e.g encouraging genocide, like that Cheesie Honkers guy who I reported.

Nobody here has any rights, really.

[hector13]

Freedom of speech means the government can’t act against you because of what you say, it doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to suggest you stop being a prick.

People on a forum aren't the government. Nor are the forum admins. That's why people were banned for e.g encouraging genocide, like that Cheesie Honkers guy who I reported.

I am aware of this, and that was my point. I appreciate you putting it in a different way.

EJ does not seem to understand this.

[MaxTheFox]

Freedom of speech means the government can’t act against you because of what you say, it doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to suggest you stop being a prick.

People on a forum aren't the government. Nor are the forum admins. That's why people were banned for e.g encouraging genocide, like that Cheesie Honkers guy who I reported.

I am aware of this, and that was my point. I appreciate you putting it in a different way.

EJ does not seem to understand this.

Yeah, I was agreeing with you.

[hector13]

Freedom of speech means the government can’t act against you because of what you say, it doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to suggest you stop being a prick.

People on a forum aren't the government. Nor are the forum admins. That's why people were banned for e.g encouraging genocide, like that Cheesie Honkers guy who I reported.

I am aware of this, and that was my point. I appreciate you putting it in a different way.

EJ does not seem to understand this.

Yeah, I was agreeing with you.

It’s morning where I am, I don’t do well in the morning. I can be slow at the best of times heh.

[MaxTheFox]

Freedom of speech means the government can’t act against you because of what you say, it doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to suggest you stop being a prick.

People on a forum aren't the government. Nor are the forum admins. That's why people were banned for e.g encouraging genocide, like that Cheesie Honkers guy who I reported.

I am aware of this, and that was my point. I appreciate you putting it in a different way.

EJ does not seem to understand this.

Yeah, I was agreeing with you.

It’s morning where I am, I don’t do well in the morning. I can be slow at the best of times heh.

It's 11 PM over here but yeah... I understand.

[Random_Dragon]

These days it's pretty much a given that "not understanding what the first amendment actually does" and "decrying being censored for acting like a jackass" go hand in hand. :V

[Starver]

I plead the third, your honor! I have few principles, but I stick to them.