Next month, Discord will implement a new age verification system that requires users to either scan their face or provide identification for complete access to its platform. This announcement, made on Monday, signifies that all user accounts will default to a “teen-appropriate” experience unless individuals can prove they are adults.
For those who do not verify their adult status, access will be restricted to certain servers and channels deemed age-sensitive. Furthermore, users in this category will be unable to participate in Discord’s live-streaming “stage” channels. Content filters will also be activated to block any material that Discord identifies as graphic or sensitive. Additionally, friend requests from unfamiliar users will trigger warning prompts, and direct messages (DMs) from unknown individuals will be automatically sorted into a separate inbox.
It's important to note that direct messaging and servers that do not have age restrictions will continue to operate normally. However, users attempting to send messages or view content in age-restricted servers will need to complete the age verification process first, even if they were already part of that server prior to the rollout of these new measures. Savannah Badalich, the global head of product policy at Discord, mentioned in an interview that until users verify their adult status, any restricted servers will appear as a black screen, making it clear that access is blocked. Moreover, users will not be able to join any new age-restricted servers without successfully verifying their age.
This initiative by Discord aligns with a larger trend seen across various online platforms that are responding to a global legal push for stricter age verification protocols and enhanced child safety measures. Discord has previously attempted some form of age verification, particularly in regions like the UK and Australia last year. However, some users found creative ways to bypass these checks using video games like Death Stranding. Badalich stated that once they became aware of the issue, the company acted quickly to resolve it, while also anticipating that users might continue to devise methods to circumvent the verification process.
It’s not only teenagers who might be inclined to evade these checks; adult users might also hesitate to verify their identities due to concerns regarding data privacy. A significant incident occurred last October when a third-party vendor used by Discord experienced a data breach, exposing some users' age verification information, including images of government-issued IDs.
Under the upcoming global rollout, users might still need to present government-issued identification for age verification. Discord has indicated that to remove the new “teen-by-default” restrictions, users can either utilize facial age estimation technology or submit a form of identification through Discord's vendor partners, with more options expected to be introduced later.
The facial age estimation involves an AI analyzing a user’s video selfie, which remains on the user's device and is not stored elsewhere. If the estimated age based on this selfie is inaccurate, users have the option to appeal or to provide a photo of an identification document instead. While this document will be verified by a third party, Discord assures that the images are deleted promptly—often immediately after confirmation of age.
After the previous data breach, Badalich confirmed that Discord has ceased working with that particular vendor and has engaged a new one. She emphasized that they are not employing biometric scanning or facial recognition, but rather facial estimation, with no retention of personal details like names or locations involved in the verification process.
Some users might not even need to undergo either verification method. Discord is also introducing an age inference model that evaluates metadata, such as the types of games a user engages with, their activity levels on the platform, and behavioral indicators that suggest their age.
Badalich explained that if there is a strong confidence that a user is an adult, they may be exempt from the more traditional age verification processes. She reassured that most users are unlikely to experience significant changes as a result of these new policies, emphasizing that the majority of Discord users are not typically accessing explicit or graphic content. According to her, the focus is primarily on content that is genuinely inappropriate for teens.
Despite these assurances, there exists a possibility that some users may choose to leave Discord due to the implementation of age verification. Badalich admitted that they anticipate a potential decline in user numbers and are planning accordingly to address this issue and find alternative ways to retain users.
In conclusion, Discord's forthcoming age verification system represents a critical step towards enhancing safety on the platform, but it also raises important questions about privacy and user experience. What are your thoughts? Do you believe this is a necessary measure for protecting younger users, or do you think it could infringe on the privacy of adult users? Let us know your opinions!
