Discord Introduces Mandatory Face or ID Scans for Full Feature Access

Significant changes are on the horizon for Discord next month. The platform, known for its robust voice and chat capabilities, has announced that all users, both new and existing, will soon need to verify their age through a face scan or ID to access the full range of features.

On February 9, Discord revealed that, in line with its commitment to fostering a safer environment for younger users, all accounts will default to a “teen-appropriate experience” starting in early March. This means that users unable to confirm they are adults will lose access to various features within the app.

To verify age, Discord will require users to either upload a legal ID or submit a video selfie. The company assures that most legal documents will be deleted immediately after age verification, and selfies will remain on the user’s device. However, some users may need to provide additional information to confirm their age, and there will be a process to contest any incorrect age assignments. Additionally, a new age inference model will operate in the background to help determine if an account belongs to an adult without always necessitating age verification.

So, what features will be restricted for users who cannot verify their age? While most basic functionalities will still be available, several features will be blocked or limited for teen users or those who don’t complete the verification process.

“Our safety initiatives are especially crucial for teen users, which is why we’re implementing these updates in conjunction with Safer Internet Day,” stated Savannah Badalich, head of product policy at Discord. “By rolling out teen-by-default settings globally, we enhance our existing safety measures, providing strong protections for teens while allowing verified adults more flexibility. We prioritize teen safety in our product design and will continue collaborating with safety experts, policymakers, and our community to promote the long-term wellbeing of teens on the platform.”

This approach mirrors the age verification systems seen in other platforms and comes in response to various laws in the United States that require users to verify their age through face scans or IDs to access adult content. The era of anonymous internet usage has long passed, and this new wave of face scans and age verification raises significant concerns for privacy advocates and those uncomfortable with the idea of sending a selfie just to access certain online features.