Discord Revises Age Verification After User Backlash

Discord has altered its approach to age verification, replacing strict requirements for face scans or ID uploads with a new system that estimates user age based on account signals. This change comes after significant user pushback against the initially proposed stricter measures.

The company announced on September 22 that over 90% of users will not need to manually confirm their age. The new system analyzes factors such as account tenure, server memberships, and activity levels. Discord stated that this model offers more choices, including less intrusive options that do not require biometrics or sensitive personal data, addressing concerns raised by users.

The age estimation model assesses communities, servers, and games associated with an account, as well as the number of channels and servers a user is active in, and the age of the account itself. Discord clarified that the model does not read messages or calls and that its accuracy is comparable to biometric methods, while also acknowledging that it can make mistakes. This feature is not yet available for users in the UK and Australia.

Discord categorizes users into three groups: Adults (18+), Teens (13-17), and Unconfirmed. Teen and Unconfirmed accounts receive enhanced protections, including a requests inbox for messages from non-friends and alerts for friend requests from unknown individuals. Age checks are triggered only when a user attempts to access age-restricted content or spaces.

Alongside the AI model, Discord has expanded its verification options to include methods like facial age estimation performed on the user's device, ID document and selfie verification (via vendor k-ID), credit card checks through Stripe, and account-based methods such as AgeKey, Google Wallet, and Apple/Google Play Store accounts. The company has also committed to strict data privacy terms with its vendors, ensuring data is not used for advertising or profiling.