ID: A graphic with text reading:
"ANTI-CENSORSHIP CHEAT SHEET
WHY?
On July 2025, Steam, a popular storefront to purchase games on PC, and itch.io, a storefront that sells games, comics, tools, resources and much more, have recently delisted several NSFW games, after the group Collective Shout published an open letter to payment processors such as Visa, MasterCard, PayPal,
and more.
As a result of this letter, payment processors have strongarmed Valve and itch.io into enforcing restrictive new TOS policies on what kind of content their platforms can host and sell.
Visa, Mastercard, Stripe and Paypal have been censoring free speech and legal business on the internet for TOO LONG. Their most recent targets are Steam and Itch.io, but they have also been pressuring websites like Pixiv, Patreon, Fansly, Onlyfans and MORE for years, applying draconian standards for what kind of adult/pornographic content platforms and their users can host and sell.
If we as consumers and creators want to regain ground on this issue, we have to make our voice heard.
HOW?
BOMBARD THEM WITH PHONE CALLS
Collective Shout, the organization that lobbied to have Steam and Itch.io change their TOS, did so with only around 1000 phone calls. Visa and MC have backed down from pressuring Onlyians to remove adult content entirely due to public backlash. Clogging their phone lines for an extended period, over a month at the absolute least, will almost guarantee that these companies will at least have to pay attention to the backlash. this list is not exhaustive. but some contact points for the 4 targets are:
VISA:
(US + Can): +1 [8001-847-2911
US option selection for operator: 1-1-2 or 1-1-3
MASTERCARD:
(US): +1 (8001-307-7309
US option selection for operator: 1-1-2-2-2-1
Phone (outside US): 1-636-722-7111
STRIPE:
(Headquarters): +118881 963-8955
(France): +33 805-11-19-67
Stripe: [email protected]
PAYPAL:
(US): +1 (888)-221-1161
(outside US): 1-402-935-2050
Customer Service: +1 (877)-569-1116
-Steam and itch.io were forced by payment processors to remove several games unfairly
- This was done after a small, far-right wing group that doesn't represent the wider population made a few phone calls
- Their action is harming legitimate, legal businesses, is unfairly targeting games made by LGBTQ+ and minority groups, and overall limits artistic freedom
- It is not the payment processor's role to dictate what adults can or cannot buy with their money
- You are willing to support any politician or legislation that will put restrictions on what the company and other payment processors are able to do
Tips - It's okay if you stumble over words and ask the operator to repeat themselves - Your goal is to TAKE UP TIME (and therefore, $) moreso than change minds - You will be told to direct your complaint to an email. Don't do this, escalate the call to a supervisor - Be polite. Do not raise your voice, sweat at, or threaten any phone operators.
Try To Hit All 4 Targets Per Day
This is only going to have an effect if as many people possible call EVERY DAY for as long as possible.
THIS IS A MARATHON, NOT A RACE. If you can, it is also a good idea to try to spread the word to organizations and groups that can either actively combat these huge companies legally, or can spread news, in a manner supportive of this movement, more effectively than your average person.
examples of organizations: ACLU, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, local legislators/govt representatives
examples of spreading the news: local newspapers, special interest publications, videogame streamers"
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