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Mastercard Denies Censorship Amid Gaming Payment Controversy

8/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Mastercard firmly rejected claims of pressuring Steam and Itch.io to eliminate adult games, insisting it supports legal transactions. Yet, Valve disclosed that payment processors referenced Mastercard's Rule 5.12.7 to enforce content limitations. This clash underscores the immense influence payment processors wield over digital platforms, igniting fears of censorship and stifling creativity in the gaming world.

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Story summary

Mastercard firmly rejected claims of pressuring Steam and Itch.io to eliminate adult games, insisting it supports legal transactions. Yet, Valve disclosed that payment processors referenced Mastercard's Rule 5.12.7 to enforce content limitations. This clash underscores the immense influence payment processors wield over digital platforms, igniting fears of censorship and stifling creativity in the gaming world.