Discord Tries To Walk Back Age Verification Panic, Says Most Users Won't Need Face Scans

Source: Slashdot

Background

Discord has moved to calm a user backlash over its upcoming age verification mandate by clarifying that the vast majority of people will never be asked to confirm their age through a face scan or government ID. The platform’s statement follows threats from users to leave Discord and cancel Nitro subscriptions, as well as a data breach last year involving a third‑party vendor that handled age verification and exposed a small number of uploaded ID cards.

Verification Method

Discord will rely on an internal age prediction model that draws on:

• Account information
• Device and activity data
• Behavioral patterns across its communities

The model estimates whether a user is an adult. Users whose age the model cannot confidently determine will still need to submit a video selfie or government ID.

User Impact

• Users identified as adults or whose age cannot be confidently determined will continue to enjoy full access.
• Users not verified as adults or identified as under 18 will be placed in a teen‑appropriate experience, which blocks access to age‑restricted servers and channels.

For more details, see Discord’s safety page: .

Related coverage of the original mandate: .