Key Highlights
- Discord will require face scan or ID to access adult content starting early March.
- The new measures aim to protect teen users while giving adults flexibility in accessing age-restricted communities.
- Discord’s policy head stated that the safety work is crucial, especially for teen users.
- Critics argue that implementing this system could be challenging due to millions of existing communities.
The Rise of Age Verification on Discord
Discord, the popular online chat service with over 200 million monthly users, is gearing up for a significant change. Starting early March, all users will have to verify their age by either taking a face scan or uploading an ID if they want access to adult content. This move comes as part of Discord’s broader safety measures aimed at protecting its young user base.
A Safety Necessity?
Discord’s policy head, Savannah Badalich, has stated that teen protection is of paramount importance. She explains, “Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing safety architecture, giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility.” This approach is in line with Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Roblox, all of which have implemented similar measures to ensure a safer online environment.
Challenges Loom
However, the implementation of such a system could be fraught with issues. Drew Benvie from the social media consultancy firm Battenhall expressed his concerns: “Putting this new system into place could be ‘fraught with issues’ considering the platform has millions of communities.” He noted that Discord might lose users if their age verification process fails, but it could also attract more users who value a safer online space.
Privacy Concerns
Discord’s use of face scans and ID verifications raises privacy concerns. While they claim that information used for age checks will not be stored by the platform or the verification company, and that face scans would not be collected, such assurances may not be enough to satisfy critics. The platform faced criticism in October after 70,000 user ID photos were potentially leaked following a hack of a firm helping with age verifications.
Future Implications
Discord’s new measures are part of a broader trend in the tech industry where companies are increasingly focusing on online safety. This move reflects growing pressure from lawmakers and users to ensure that social platforms are safer, especially for younger users. As other major players like Meta, TikTok, and Roblox adopt similar practices, Discord will be closely watched by both users and competitors. So, as you might think this is new, but it’s just the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of online safety on social media platforms.
