Discord Introduces Global Age Verification System
Starting in early March, Discord will globally implement an age verification system, defaulting all user accounts to a "teen-appropriate" experience. This initiative aims to enhance teen safety by requiring adult users to verify their age to access restricted content and features.
System Rollout: A New Default Experience
Beginning in early March, Discord will update all user accounts worldwide to a teen designation by default. This significant change will result in updated communication settings, restricted access to age-gated spaces, and content filtering for unverified users. This rollout aligns with similar initiatives on other platforms, driven by international legal requirements for age checks and child safety. Discord had previously implemented age checks in the UK and Australia.
Unverified users will face several specific limitations:
- Inability to access age-restricted servers and channels.
- Restricted participation in Discord's "stage" channels.
- Content filters for graphic or sensitive content.
- Warning prompts for friend requests from potentially unfamiliar users.
- Direct messages from unfamiliar users will be filtered into a separate inbox.
Age-restricted servers will appear as a black screen until a user completes the age verification process, and users will be unable to join new age-restricted servers without verification.
Verification Methods Unveiled
To remove these "teen-by-default" limitations and gain full access, adult users will be required to verify their age. Verification options include:
- Facial Age Estimation: An AI analyzes a user's video selfie directly on their device to estimate age. If the estimate is incorrect, users can appeal or use an ID document.
- Identity Document Submission: Users can submit a government-issued identification document, which is then verified by a third-party vendor.
- Age Inference Model: Discord will utilize an age inference model that analyzes metadata such as game types, activity, and behavioral signals. Users with a high confidence level of being an adult through this model may not need to undergo other direct verification flows.
In some cases, both facial age estimation and identity document submission may be required, or multiple methods may be requested for additional information to assign an age group. Most users are expected to complete the process once, with their Discord experience adjusting to their verified age.
Safeguarding User Privacy and Data
Discord has outlined several privacy protections for the age verification process.
Video selfies used for facial age estimation are processed solely on the user’s device and do not leave it.
Identity documents submitted to vendor partners are deleted quickly, often immediately after age confirmation. Discord explicitly states that it does not retain personal information such as names or cities from identity documents.
Savannah Badalich, Discord's global head of product policy, addressed data privacy concerns following an October data breach involving a former third-party vendor. She confirmed Discord has discontinued work with that vendor and clarified that the current process involves facial estimation, not biometric scanning or facial recognition. Importantly, a user’s age verification status will not be visible to other users on the platform.
Anticipated Impact
Discord anticipates that the majority of its users will not experience a change in their platform experience, as the age assurance primarily impacts access to adult-oriented content. The company expects a potential decrease in user numbers following the rollout but plans to implement strategies to attract users back to the platform.