Discord Delays Age Checks After User Backlash
Discord, which counts more than 200 million active members, has decided to pause its worldwide rollout of age‑verification tools. The company says it will keep meeting legal requirements for certain users, but the global launch will wait until it revises its initial plan announced in early February.
Original Plan
The schedule called for a March launch that would use facial scans or ID uploads when Discord could not tell if someone was an adult.
User Backlash
Many users opposed this, especially after a security breach involving a third‑party provider that exposed government ID photos of up to 70,000 Discord accounts.
Discord’s spokesperson mentioned the breach and explained that it no longer works with that vendor. The company claims every partner undergoes a strict security and privacy review, including limits on data use and rapid deletion of any information submitted for age checks.
Vendor Issues
- Persona
- Tested only in the UK in January.
- Failed to meet Discord’s standard that biometric data must stay on‑device.
- After the test, Discord distanced itself from Persona.
Persona’s co‑founder and CEO responded on LinkedIn, stating that Discord’s criticism was inaccurate. He warned that public accusations erode trust and said Persona does provide on‑device age verification.
Discord’s Approach
- 90 %+ of users will see no change.
- Discord can usually determine a user’s age from account signals such as how long the account has existed, payment methods on file, server memberships, and activity patterns.
The company does not read messages or analyze content for age estimation.
- Additional Options
- For users whose ages Discord cannot confirm, it is developing alternatives beyond face scans and ID requests, such as credit‑card verification.
These alternatives will be fully ready before the new system launches.
- Opt‑Out
- Users who opt out of age verification can keep their accounts, servers, friends lists, direct messages, and voice chats.
- However, they will lose access to age‑restricted content and some safety settings meant for teens.
Discord has promised a detailed explanation of its automatic age‑determination methods and will list all verification vendors and their practices on its website.
