Discord Doubles Down On Age Verification

Discord has announced a global age verification system that will limit certain features unless users confirm their age. The move immediately sparked huge backlash across the platform, with many users openly considering leaving the service over privacy concerns.

Under the new system, users must be confirmed adults to access age-restricted servers, channels, and certain safety settings. However, Discord insists that most users will not need to complete a face scan or upload a government ID to continue using the platform normally.

The company released a detailed statement to clarify what the changes actually mean.

Discord Says Most Users Will Not Be Affected

According to Discord, the “vast majority” of people can continue using the platform exactly as they do today without being asked to confirm their age.

The company says age checks will only be required in specific situations, such as accessing age-restricted content.

In many cases, Discord claims it can determine whether a user is an adult through an internal age prediction system that analyzes account signals and behavior patterns. The company also states that message content is not used in this model.

If further verification is needed, users will be offered multiple options through third-party vendors.

How the Verification Works

Discord outlined two main verification methods:

Facial Age Estimation

Users can record a short video selfie. Discord says the facial age estimation technology runs entirely on the user’s device in real time.

According to the company, facial scans never leave the device, and neither Discord nor its vendors receive or store the video. Only the user’s age group is shared.

ID Verification

If a government ID is required, Discord says it is used only to confirm the user’s age and then deleted.

The company claims it only receives the user’s age, not the full identity, and that identities are never linked to Discord accounts.

Discord also emphasizes that it does not sell age assurance data or use it for advertising purposes.

Safety Filters and Teen Protection

As part of the update, Discord highlighted its existing content safety filters, which focus on images and videos. These include:

• A Mature Sexual Media Filter to detect explicit or suggestive adult content

• A Graphic Media Filter to detect violent or disturbing visuals

Discord says these filters do not scan text messages, voice chats, or calls. The goal, according to the company, is to create age-appropriate experiences while keeping private conversations untouched.

Community Pushback and Privacy Fears

Despite Discord’s clarifications, many users remain skeptical.

Critics argue that requiring facial scans or government IDs, even in limited cases, raises serious privacy concerns.

Some point to reports that over 70,000 users previously had ID or facial data exposed during a security breach involving a customer service agent. They question whether sensitive documents can truly be kept safe.

Others claim that even if Discord says it does not store personal identity information, past data breaches show that sensitive information can still be compromised. Some community members believe that age verification systems labeled as “safety for teens” may ultimately expand data collection rather than reduce risk.

The backlash has been intense, with users debating whether the platform’s privacy assurances are enough to justify the new requirements.