A recent scare about a massive Steam data breach involving over 89 million accounts has turned out to be a false alarm. Valve, the company behind the popular gaming platform, has officially stated that there was no hack and that users’ account information and passwords remain secure.
The alarm bells started ringing after a LinkedIn post by a user called Underdark.ai claimed that a hacker on a dark web forum was selling a dataset with information on more than 89 million Steam users. The seller reportedly offered sample data and a Telegram contact, asking $5,000 for the full list. The claim quickly made its way across social media, spreading panic among gamers.
On X (formerly Twitter), user Mellow_Online1 helped boost visibility of the post, further fanning the flames of worry. With millions of people using Steam daily and storing not just games but payment methods and other sensitive data, the alleged breach raised serious concerns.
However, Valve quickly responded with a statement to calm the community. “You may have seen reports of leaks of older text messages that had previously been sent to Steam customers,” the company explained in a post. “We have examined the leak sample and have determined this was NOT a breach of Steam systems.”
According to Valve, the information in question came from logs of old SMS messages used for two-factor authentication (2FA). These messages contained 2FA codes that are valid only for 15 minutes and are not connected to user passwords, payment data, or Steam account details. The only potentially identifying information in the leaked messages is a phone number—no usernames, passwords, or other personal information were included.
Valve emphasized that these old codes pose no security threat. “Old text messages cannot be used to breach the security of your Steam account,” the company said. Additionally, Valve reassured users that any changes to email or password settings made using SMS would trigger confirmation messages via email or the Steam app.
“You do not need to change your passwords or phone numbers as a result of this event,” Valve added.
Still, the incident serves as a good reminder to double-check your account’s security settings. With vast libraries of games and personal data tied to Steam accounts, it’s essential to take precautions. Valve recommends enabling the Steam Mobile Authenticator, which adds another layer of protection to your login process. You can also review authorized devices linked to your Steam account through your settings.
Security experts and users in the comments also chimed in with tips. One common suggestion is to use a password manager such as 1Password or Bitwarden to generate and store strong, unique passwords. These tools help reduce the risk of reusing passwords across sites, which is a common vulnerability.
Some users, however, pushed back against the idea that complex passwords are always necessary, arguing that unique passphrases combined with 2FA offer a good balance between security and usability.
In light of the recent false scare, many gamers took the opportunity to strengthen their account security anyway. One commenter joked that the incident finally convinced them to replace a password they had been using since 2008.
While this event turned out to be a misunderstanding, it highlights how easily misinformation can spread and how important it is for companies to respond quickly and transparently. Valve’s prompt clarification helped avoid mass panic and unnecessary password changes among its user base.
So, if you’re a Steam user, rest easy—your account is safe. But take this moment to double-check your security settings, enable 2FA if you haven’t already, and consider a password manager. After all, your game library (and your wallet) will thank you.