Yeah. I know that the vast majority of software contain a certain amount if spyware, etc. However, things like OS's and whatnot are pretty much essential to using a computer and/or using the net.
Steam isn't essential. It's just another slice of your privacy being taken.
Have you heard of the spyware called "Hard Shell"? It's in Steam.
Hard Shell has the ability to detect what you're watching, your social media actities and it collects cookies, etc. Is that any different from Microsoft, etc? No. But as I said, I'm not going to offer up my privacy to play a computer game.
The reason I stopped playing Football Manager in the first place was because of the introduction of Steam.