Discord to Implement Face Scan or ID Verification for Full Access Next Month

Discord has announced that it will implement global age verification starting next month, automatically setting all accounts to a “teen-appropriate” experience unless users can prove they are adults.

Users who do not verify their age as adults will face restrictions, including being unable to access age-restricted servers and channels, participate in “stage” channels, and will encounter content filters for graphic or sensitive material. Additionally, they will receive warnings for friend requests from unfamiliar users, and direct messages from unknown contacts will be filtered into a separate inbox.

While direct messages and non-restricted servers will continue to operate normally, users will be unable to send messages or view content in age-restricted servers until they complete the age verification process, even if they were previously members of those servers. According to Discord’s global head of product policy, servers will be obscured with a black screen until users verify their age. New age-restricted servers will also be off-limits until verification is completed.

This move aligns with a broader trend across online platforms responding to legal pressures for age checks and enhanced child safety measures. Discord previously tested age verification in the UK and Australia, which some users managed to bypass using creative methods. The company quickly addressed these loopholes but anticipates that users will continue to seek ways around the checks.

Concerns about data privacy may also lead some adult users to avoid verification, especially following a data breach involving a former vendor that exposed age verification data, including government ID images.

For the global rollout, users may need to provide a government ID for verification. However, Discord offers alternatives: users can opt for facial age estimation or submit identification to third-party vendors, with more options expected in the future. The facial estimation process uses AI to analyze a video selfie, which remains on the user’s device. If the age estimate is incorrect, users can appeal or verify with an ID photo, which is quickly deleted after confirmation.

After the data breach, Discord switched to a different vendor for age verification and clarified that it does not engage in biometric scanning or facial recognition, ensuring that no personal information is retained.

Additionally, Discord is introducing an age inference model that evaluates metadata, such as the types of games played and user activity, to determine if a user is likely an adult. If there is high confidence in a user’s adult status, they may bypass the standard verification processes.

The implementation of age assurance primarily targets adult content, with the majority of users likely not experiencing significant changes in their interactions. However, there is a possibility that some users may leave the platform due to these changes, and Discord is preparing for that potential impact while exploring ways to retain its user base.