Valve has decided to restrict users who spent less than $5 on steam from accessing some Steam features until they meet the required minimum charge.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Fact is, the new rules aim to combat spam and abuse by making it too costly for spammers to create the huge number of accounts required for spamming. As of today, users who didn't spend more than $5 on steam games and content will find their accounts restricted while the remaining users won't even know about the new rule.
Restricted accounts are barred from the following Steam features:
• Sending friend invites
• Opening group chat
• Voting on Greenlight, Steam Reviews and Workshop items
• Participating in the Steam Market
• Posting frequently in the Steam Discussions
• Gaining Steam Profile Levels (Locked to level 0) and Trading Cards
• Submitting content on the Steam Workshop
• Posting in an item's Steam Workshop Discussions
• Accessing the Steam Web API
• Using browser and mobile chat
CD Keys, retail purchases, and gifts do not remove limited user restrictions even if they significantly exceed the required quota. More info can be found here.
The reasoning behind the new rules certainly is legitimate, but they still set an alarming precedent.
