Discord to roll out age verification next month for full access to its platform

Starting next month, Discord will implement a global age verification process, the company announced recently. By default, all users will enter a 'teen-appropriate experience' unless they can verify their adult status. This verification is crucial for changing specific settings and accessing content that is restricted based on age. To unblur sensitive content, disable default settings, or gain entry to age-restricted channels and commands, users must confirm their identity as adults. Additionally, direct messages from unknown users will be filtered into a separate inbox, which only verified adults can modify. Users will also receive alerts regarding friend requests from unfamiliar accounts, and only adults will be permitted to speak on stage in servers. To complete the age verification, individuals can either undergo a facial age estimation process or submit identification documents to Discord’s partner vendors. The platform plans to introduce further verification options in the future. Discord has stated that some users might need to use multiple methods to ensure accurate age classification, with the facial estimation requiring video selfies that remain on the user’s device. Furthermore, any IDs submitted are rapidly deleted, typically immediately after age confirmation. This new measure comes in light of previous security breaches, where approximately 70,000 users' sensitive information, including government ID photos, was compromised due to a hack of a third-party vendor associated with Discord. The incident raised significant concerns among digital rights advocates regarding the implications of age verification processes on online safety. Discord's move to roll out age verification globally follows its earlier implementation of similar checks in the U.K. and Australia. Savannah Badalich, Discord's head of product policy, emphasized that the teen-by-default settings are designed to enhance safety while giving verified adults greater control over their experience. This initiative aligns with broader global efforts to improve child safety online, as seen with platforms like Roblox and YouTube, which have also introduced verification measures to create safer environments for younger users. Discord's age verification rollout is set to commence in early March, requiring both new and existing users to verify their age for access to restricted content.