Discord’s New ID Requirement Faces Backlash from Users

Discord’s recent announcement about its “teen-by-default” settings and age verification requirements has sparked significant backlash among its users. Starting in March, the platform will mandate that all adult users verify their age, potentially through methods like submitting a video selfie, to lift age-related restrictions. Users who fail to verify will be classified as teenagers, limiting their access to various features. For instance, those without verification won’t be able to enter age-restricted channels or servers, nor will they have the ability to view sensitive content.

The reaction from the community has been overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing a desire to abandon Discord altogether. One user on Reddit stated, “Yeah, asking me for a copy of my government ID is a deal breaker for me for unnecessary platforms.” Another added, “There is no universe in which I will prioritize ‘Upload ID’ over ‘Delete Account.'”

Concerns about sharing sensitive information with Discord and its third-party partners are heightened, especially following a security breach last fall that exposed the identification data of at least 70,000 users, with the potential for millions more. This incident has left many skeptical about the safety of their data with Discord.

In response to the backlash, Discord provided additional details in a follow-up announcement, which many interpreted as damage control. The company stated that for most adult users, it can confirm age using existing information, employing age prediction methods to determine adult status without requiring explicit verification. They emphasized that not all users would need to verify their age, and many would see no change in their experience.

However, skepticism remains, as one Twitter user pointedly remarked, “Thanks for confirming that you’ve always been spying on your users,” a sentiment echoed by others in the community.

If the data Discord currently holds isn’t enough to verify a user’s age, additional verification through “privacy-forward options” will be necessary. Discord assures users that facial scans will remain on their devices, IDs will be deleted post-verification, and that “your identity is never associated with your account,” only your age. The updated announcement includes a FAQ section detailing the age verification process, but many feel it’s too little, too late.

Interest in “Discord alternatives” has surged by over 10,000% since the announcement, as users seek more trustworthy platforms. Alternatives like Stoat, Matrix, Mumble, and TeamSpeak are gaining traction, while some Steam users are advocating for Valve to develop its own chat platform.