Key Highlights
- Discord delays its age verification plans due to user outcry.
- The company stresses it will meet legal obligations but is now developing alternative methods of verification.
- User Alastair expresses distrust in Discord’s intentions regarding age verification.
- Discord has faced issues with user data privacy, including potential leaks and security concerns.
The Fallout: Discord’s Age Verification Plans Face a Delay
Discord is taking a hit from its own community. After weeks of user ire over its proposed age verification plans, the platform has pushed back on implementing these measures until later this year. Stanislav Vishnevskiy, Discord’s co-founder and CTO, admitted that the rollout was more controversial than expected.
The Controversy Builds
Initially, Discord planned to roll out a global age verification process by March 2025. This plan involved requiring users under 16 to undergo facial or ID scans to verify their age before accessing certain features on the platform. However, the community was not pleased with this approach. Alastair, who hosts a server with over 60,000 members, said bluntly: “I do not trust them.”
A New Approach Aims for Less Invasiveness
In response to user concerns, Discord is now exploring alternative methods of verification that do not involve facial or ID scans. One such method under development is credit card verification. Vishnevskiy acknowledged the controversy and stated: “We knew this rollout was going to be controversial.” He went on to say that the company will provide more detail about its age determination methodology before implementing it globally.
User Distrust and Data Privacy Concerns
Discord’s user base is wary, given recent security issues. In October 2024, ID photos of around 70,000 users were likely leaked through a cyber-attack. Then, just last week, researchers discovered that another company, Persona, had left thousands of files exposed on the internet. Discord quickly distanced itself from Persona but acknowledged that these incidents have contributed to ongoing mistrust.
Stanislav Vishnevskiy emphasized that when age verification is eventually implemented, no images will be stored: “We are working on ensuring user data privacy.” He added that Discord’s internal age determination system already uses various factors like account activity patterns and server types to determine age without reading messages or analyzing content.
Getting in Line with Regulatory Changes
Despite the delay, Discord is committed to meeting regulatory obligations. The platform aims to align with new rules around social media access for young people in countries such as the UK, Australia, EU, and Brazil. Additionally, individual states in the US are considering their own regulations.
Discord’s decision comes at a time when its stock price has been on the rise, with reports suggesting the company could go public this year.
While the delay might be seen as an industry setback, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance tech companies must strike between user privacy and compliance. The writing is on the wall: Discord’s reputation will depend heavily on how well it manages these challenges in the future.
Conclusion
You might think this is new, but… age verification has been a hot topic for years across various platforms. Discord’s experience offers a cautionary tale to other tech companies navigating similar terrain.