Beamer wrote on Aug 10, 2011, 11:02:

"I mean, people love control! Who doesn't? People love to be controlled and always monitored. Just remember that thingy from Deus Ex. This is the future, this is better. Trust us! After all, who wouldn't give up a little freedom for security and comfort?"

Not sure what that has to do with the topic at hand.
You realize that, even in offline mode, Steam will store your usage statistics and just upload it next time it connects to its own server. So the only way to not be monitored is to buy a game then never connect again, not even to buy a new game. Except that Valve monitored you buying that game and stored it as a statistic somewhere.

Really, the only way not to be monitored is to walk out into the ocean and never be seen again.