Discord introduces age verification for access to 'sensitive' content: get your documents ready
Discord has launched an experiment with a new age verification policy that will require users to prove their age to view material that the platform considers potentially harmful. Currently, the system is being tested in the UK and Australia, but Discord has not announced the length of the trial period or when it will be rolled out in other countries. The age verification process will apply to all devices, including the Xbox and PlayStation 5 versions of Discord.
Here's What We Know
When a user tries to interact with content marked with a Discord Sensitive Filter (such as explicit images) or change the filter settings, a pop-up window will appear asking them to verify their age to continue. Discord offers two methods of verification: scanning your face with your device's camera or scanning an ID card (such as a driver's licence) with your mobile device. The process reportedly only takes a few minutes, after which the user receives a personal message from Discord indicating the age group.
This system raises privacy concerns, but Discord assures in the FAQ section on the new requirement that the data provided by users for verification is not stored by Discord or the face scanning service provider. The face scanning option is "on-device", which means that no biometric data is collected or stored. Age verification for Discord is a one-time procedure. After the age group is determined, the user will remain in it until they re-verify themselves. Discord notes that users will be able to re-verify their age at any time if they believe the system has misclassified them, or obviously over time when their current category is no longer true.
If the verification process determines that a user's age category is below the minimum required for a Discord account, the user will be automatically banned. Blocked users will be able to appeal through Discord's special procedure for appealing the blocking of underage accounts.
Source: Discord
