Discord pushes back age verification rollout following backlash
NBC News • • business
Key Points:
- Discord has postponed its global age verification rollout, originally set for early March, following user criticism and concerns over privacy and security.
- The planned system involved video selfies and ID submissions to verify users' ages, aiming to provide a "teen-appropriate experience" with content filtering and restricted access for underage users.
- Users raised concerns due to a past security breach involving a third-party vendor that exposed government ID photos, prompting Discord to sever ties with that vendor.
- Discord’s CTO acknowledged the backlash, stating that over 90% of users will not need to verify their age, and those who do will have options to prove only their age without revealing identity.
- The rollout is now delayed to the second half of 2026 as Discord commits
