Discord Faces Backlash Over Controversial Age Verification Methods

Discord’s New Age Verification Sparks Outcry

Discord is under fire after announcing changes to its age verification process that will require users to prove their age before accessing the full platform. This move comes as a shock to many, especially in the wake of a recent breach involving a third-party age check partner that compromised the government IDs of 70,000 Discord users.

The company’s plan to gather more government IDs globally has left users concerned about privacy and data security. Discord has stated that users may instead use video selfies to estimate their ages with AI, attempting to reassure the public. However, this alternative has raised its own set of privacy issues. Discord hinted that, down the line, behavioral signals might reduce the need for these checks, but this hasn’t fully quelled the backlash.

Questions Surround Persona Experiment in the UK

Discord’s approach has drawn ire due to its handling of incorrect age assessments, which could require further ID verification. Users remain worried about data security, as Discord’s previous assurance of quick data deletion didn’t prevent the prior breach. Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, noted that shared IDs during appeals are typically “deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.”

In an unexpected twist, Discord recently posted and then deleted an FAQ disclaimer about a new age assurance experiment in the UK involving a vendor called Persona. This experiment reportedly involves storing user information for up to 7 days. The FAQ, now archived, noted that only necessary information like photos and birth dates would be visible during ID verification.

“Important: If you’re located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted.”

Users Demand Transparency and Security

Critics have accused Discord of lacking transparency regarding how long IDs are stored and which entities are involved in data collection. Without clear details on the UK experiment’s purpose or participant numbers, trust in Discord’s assurances is waning. Persona, notably absent from Discord’s official list of partners, adds another layer of mystery to the situation.

The messaging platform’s controversial moves have left many users uneasy about the safety of their personal information, highlighting the need for clear communication and robust security measures as Discord navigates these turbulent waters.