Discord has scaled back its controversial age verification plans following intense backlash from its user community, according to a blog post published by the company’s chief technology officer Stanislav Vishnevskiy on Tuesday. The platform, which boasts 200 million monthly users, had initially planned to default all users into a version designed for people under 16 until they verified their age through facial scans, photo identification, or government ID uploads. However, Discord age verification measures will now affect fewer than 10% of users when the system rolls out later this year.
Vishnevskiy acknowledged that the company mishandled the announcement of its age verification initiative. He wrote that Discord should have provided more detail about its intentions and how the verification process would work from the outset.
Why Discord Age Verification Sparked User Outrage
The platform’s user base reacted strongly against the original plan, with many expressing deep distrust about sharing sensitive personal information. One prominent user, Alastair, who hosts a server with more than 60,000 members, told the BBC simply that he does not trust the company with such data. Additionally, broader concerns about tech industry surveillance and data handling contributed to the negative response.
According to Vishnevskiy, this skepticism toward technology companies is earned rather than unfounded. He acknowledged that mistrust extends not just toward Discord but toward the entire tech industry, particularly regarding online privacy and data collection practices.
Existing Age Determination Systems
Part of the reason Discord expects only a small percentage of users to require age verification is its existing internal age determination system. This system analyzes factors including account age, payment method registration, server participation, and general activity patterns to estimate user ages. Importantly, Vishnevskiy emphasized that this system does not read messages, analyze conversations, or examine posted content.
Users who do need to verify their age will face restrictions on accessing age-restricted content until the verification process is complete. Meanwhile, certain default settings will be implemented to protect younger users during this period.
Security Concerns and Data Breaches
Recent security incidents have amplified user concerns about Discord’s handling of sensitive information. In October, official ID photos of approximately 70,000 users were likely leaked through a cyber-attack targeting data from a previous age verification partnership. This breach significantly damaged user confidence in the platform’s data security measures.
Furthermore, online researchers discovered last week that Persona, a company Discord had partnered with for age verification in the UK, had left thousands of files exposed on the open internet. However, Discord quickly distanced itself from Persona, stating that its testing with the company was limited in scope and has now concluded.
Regulatory Compliance and Transparency Commitments
Discord is attempting to comply with emerging regulations around social media access for young people across multiple jurisdictions. Countries including the UK, Australia, and Brazil, along with the European Union and individual US states, are implementing or considering rules requiring platforms to verify user ages and protect minors online.
In response to user concerns, Vishnevskiy committed to publishing Discord’s age determination methodology before the global rollout of age verification. The company also reiterated that when the system does launch, no images used in the verification process will be stored on its servers.
Discord has experienced significant growth in recent years, particularly among gamers who use the platform to communicate while streaming on services like Twitch. According to Vishnevskiy, the number of teenagers using Discord has significantly increased since the pandemic. The company is also reportedly planning to go public this year, according to numerous reports.
Discord has not announced a specific timeline for when the revised age verification system will launch globally, though the company indicated it will occur later this year. The platform’s commitment to publishing its methodology beforehand suggests users can expect additional transparency measures before implementation begins.
