Home / Technology / Discord Delays Age Checks Amid Backlash
Discord Delays Age Checks Amid Backlash
25 Feb
Summary
- Discord postpones global age verification rollout until late 2026.
- Users can verify age via credit card, avoiding ID or face scans.
- Company working with vendors on on-device facial scan technology.
Discord announced on February 25, 2026, that it is delaying its planned global age verification policy until the latter half of 2026. This decision comes in response to user concerns regarding the privacy implications of sharing personal identification for verification. The platform will introduce alternative methods for age confirmation, including credit card verification, to provide options for users without requiring an ID or a face scan.
Co-founder and CTO Stanislav Vishnevskiy stated that verification will be an option for a small percentage of users, with a focus on confirming age rather than identity. Discord is also increasing transparency around its third-party verification vendors and their practices. They will not partner with companies for face scans unless the process is entirely on-device, notably opting out of using services like Persona which do not meet this standard.
Furthermore, Discord is developing a new spoiler channel option to ease restrictions for servers with age-gated content. The company also plans to publish technical details about its automatic age determination systems. This move comes amid a broader trend of age verification laws in the US and globally, with Discord aiming to balance user privacy with effective teen protections.
