Discord Starts New Age Checks After Data Leak

Discord is now checking the age of all its users around the world. This is happening after some user information was leaked from a company that helps with age checks. Many people are worried about their privacy, but Discord says this will make the platform safer.
By Newsroom | Technology, Social Media |

A new global age verification system is being rolled out by Discord, a popular messaging platform. This move follows a prior data breach involving a third-party vendor, which exposed the identification of around 70,000 users. Despite protests from many users who cite privacy and security worries, Discord states the changes will not affect the majority of adult users and aims to create a safer online environment.

'We've Seen Some Questions': As Age Verification Backlash Grows, Discord Insists Changes Won't Impact 'Majority of Adult Users' - 1

Context

Discord's decision to implement mandatory age verification globally comes as a response to increasing regulatory pressure and the need to manage content suitable for different age groups. The platform has been testing age checks in regions like the United Kingdom and Australia.

'We've Seen Some Questions': As Age Verification Backlash Grows, Discord Insists Changes Won't Impact 'Majority of Adult Users' - 2

  • March Rollout: Discord announced a phased global rollout of its age verification measures beginning in early March.

  • Default Experience: All users worldwide will initially be placed in a "teen-appropriate" experience with adjusted communication settings, restricted access to certain spaces, and content filtering.

  • Verification Methods: To access full platform features or unrestricted content, users will need to prove their age. This can be done through facial age estimation using video selfies or by submitting identification documents to third-party vendors.

  • Previous Breach: In October, hackers gained access to a third-party service that Discord used for age verification. This breach resulted in the exposure of approximately 70,000 users' government IDs and other personal data, including names and email addresses. Discord confirmed the incident, stated it had ceased the vendor's access, and notified affected users.

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User Concerns and Platform Response

The introduction of mandatory age verification has generated significant criticism from Discord users, primarily centered on privacy and data security.

'We've Seen Some Questions': As Age Verification Backlash Grows, Discord Insists Changes Won't Impact 'Majority of Adult Users' - 3

  • Privacy Worries: Users express deep distrust of handing over sensitive personal information, especially government IDs or facial scans, to Discord or its partners, particularly in light of the recent data breach. The idea of a "gated internet" where access is restricted by age checks is also a point of contention.

  • Security Risks: The prior breach of a third-party vendor has amplified fears that any sensitive data collected for age verification could become a target for future attacks, potentially leading to identity theft.

  • Discord's Stance: Discord insists that the age verification measures are necessary to provide age-appropriate experiences and protect younger users. The company states that facial age estimation data generally stays on the user's device and that data submitted to vendors is deleted after confirmation. Discord also highlights its efforts to stop the breach and assist affected users.

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Divergent Views on Data Handling and Trust

Conflicting perspectives exist regarding Discord's data handling practices and the level of trust users should place in the platform's security.

'We've Seen Some Questions': As Age Verification Backlash Grows, Discord Insists Changes Won't Impact 'Majority of Adult Users' - 4

  • Skepticism Over Data Safety:

    "I cannot trust tech companies with that kind of personal data."Users are deeply skeptical about entrusting sensitive personal data to tech companies due to past security failures.

    Users point to the 70,000-ID breach as concrete evidence that even third-party vendors are vulnerable, questioning Discord's ability to safeguard their information effectively. The fact that sensitive identification documents were compromised fuels doubts about the security of future data collections.

  • Platform Assurance on Data Protection:

    "Discord stated that it stopped the affected third-party platform from accessing further records, and contacted affected users via email."Discord asserts that its core systems were not breached and that it has taken steps to prevent further exposure and inform those impacted.

    Discord emphasizes that the incident involved an external vendor, not its own platform systems. They claim to have severed the vendor's access and are cooperating with law enforcement. The company also states that data used for facial estimation never leaves the device and that vendor data is deleted after verification.

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Implications of Mandatory Verification

The rollout of global age verification signifies a notable shift in how online platforms manage user access and content, potentially altering the user experience for many.

  • Restricted Access: Without completing verification, users will face limitations, including restricted direct messages from unknown individuals and inability to speak in certain server voice channels.

  • Community Impact: Some users are actively seeking alternatives, fearing that the new verification process could fragment or harm existing online communities.

  • "Gated Internet" Concerns: Critics suggest that mandatory age verification, driven by regulatory pressure rather than user-centric design, moves toward a more segmented and controlled internet experience.

Expert Analysis

The move by Discord reflects a broader trend in the digital landscape.

  • Regulatory Pressure: Governments worldwide are increasingly demanding that online platforms implement stricter age verification to protect minors from harmful content and ensure compliance with evolving digital laws. This creates a difficult balance for platforms between user privacy and regulatory adherence.

  • Vendor Reliance Risks: Relying on third-party vendors for sensitive processes like age verification introduces inherent risks. While intended to leverage specialized expertise, these partnerships can become points of failure, as demonstrated by the recent data breach.

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Conclusion

Discord's global age verification rollout is a significant undertaking that has sparked considerable debate. The platform faces a challenging path as it attempts to balance the demands for increased safety and regulatory compliance with user privacy concerns and the need to maintain a vibrant, open community. The past data breach involving a verification vendor looms large, casting a shadow of distrust over the new system. Discord maintains that its new measures are essential for a secure online environment and that the impact on the majority of adult users will be minimal. However, widespread user apprehension and the search for alternative platforms indicate that the company's communication and security assurances will be under intense scrutiny as the verification process becomes a reality for its global user base.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Discord adding age checks?
Discord wants to make its platform safer for younger users and follow new rules.
Q: What happened before this?
A company that helped Discord check ages had a data leak, and some user details were shared.
Q: Are users happy about this?
Many users are worried about their privacy and how their information will be used.
Q: How does Discord check age?
Users can use video selfies or share ID papers with a partner company.