This is important for Discord users... Following the privacy controversy, the website slowed down its age verification system.
Discord was forced to backtrack and reconsider its plan to verify the ages of its users after a wave of criticism regarding privacy concerns and the lack of clarity in its original proposal. The company acknowledged that its plan to implement a global system—which in some cases requires uploading an official document or a selfie to verify that an account belongs to an adult—was not well received and decided to postpone its launch until the second half of 2026 while it revises its strategy.
Discord's original proposal, announced weeks ago, stipulated that any user whose age the platform couldn't automatically determine would have to be verified using third-party methods. This idea raised concerns among some community members, who linked the requirement to scan documents or faces to the risk of sensitive information being exposed. Many users worried that their biometric data or documents could fall into the hands of third parties without adequate protection.
Stanislav Vishnevsky, co-founder and technical director of Discord, acknowledged in an official blog post that the company's initial presentation of the plan was unclear and that this ambiguity—particularly regarding the need to scan faces or upload ID cards to use the platform—was a mistake.
Discord asserts that not all users have to undergo an intrusive process and that most accounts can remain active without explicit age verification, using internal systems that analyze indicators such as account age or activity to estimate age without the need for documentation.
But the uproar wasn't solely due to the method of announcement. Part of the controversy arose when some pointed out that Discord had tested an external service provider in the UK that used government databases and other sources to verify age—an approach many privacy experts considered excessive. Following this criticism, the company removed any mention of that provider and announced the end of the test.
Currently, Discord remains committed to providing some form of age verification in compliance with regulations in various countries and to ensuring a safe experience for underage users. However, the purpose of postponing the announced system's launch is to offer additional verification options that go beyond just personal documents or videos.
The company also promises greater transparency regarding its verification partners, how they handle personal data, and the options available to users who need to confirm their ages.
Users are increasingly concerned about how platforms handle their personal data, especially sensitive information such as identity documents or biometric data. Discord previously experienced a security incident involving a third party handling official identities, raising concerns about age verification.