Discord activates age verification mechanism: requiring facial scans and ID uploads raises privacy concerns

Global instant messaging platform Discord announced that starting in March, it will implement a stricter age verification system requiring users to undergo facial scans or upload valid identification documents to lift restrictions. Discord stated that the new policy aims to protect minors and enhance platform security, but it has also quickly sparked public concerns over privacy risks and data centralization, especially amid intense discussions within the crypto community.

Discord’s “Teen Default Mode” Launches, Full Features Require Unlocking

Discord explained that the new policy will set all users to “teen” by default. Only after completing age verification and confirming adulthood can users lift certain restrictions, including access to NSFW (Not Safe For Work) communities, removal of sensitive content filters, and the ability to receive private messages from strangers.

Regarding verification methods, users can choose to upload government-issued ID or record a selfie video for AI-based age estimation. Discord noted that this system was originally designed to comply with online safety regulations in regions like the UK and Australia, but it will now be expanded to all users worldwide. The company emphasized that protecting minors is central to platform security, and the new system is an extension of existing frameworks.

Facial Scanning and ID Uploads Side by Side, Discord Promises Data Will Not Be Stored

Addressing privacy concerns, Discord explained that facial scan images will not be stored, and ID documents are only used for one-time verification, after which they will be deleted. The platform also stated that related data will not be retained.

However, in reality, Discord only recently in October 2025 faced a security breach when an external age verification partner was hacked, potentially exposing the official ID photos of about 70,000 users. This incident sparked widespread doubts about the security of third-party verification mechanisms.

(Why Are Official Discord Accounts Always Hacked? SlowMist Reveals Hacker Traps)

Experts: Good Intentions, Execution Risks Cannot Be Ignored

Drew Benvie, head of social media consultancy firm Battenhall, believes that protecting minors from inappropriate content is a common challenge faced by many platforms. However, with millions of user communities, if Discord’s age verification process is not smooth enough, it could negatively impact user experience.

He pointed out that the new system might cause some users to leave due to reluctance to provide personal data, but it could also attract security- and compliance-conscious users, especially as the company seeks to go public through an IPO.

Benvie noted that this development aligns with recent efforts by major platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Roblox to strengthen protections for minors.

(Discord Secretly Files for IPO, Can a Valuation in the Billions Spark Investment Frenzy?)

Crypto Community Pushback: De-anonymization Could Become the Norm

Compared to regular users, crypto communities that frequently use Discord have reacted even more strongly to this policy. Ryan Sean Adams, co-founder of Bankless, pointed out that delegating age and identity verification responsibilities to platforms essentially encourages companies to collect large amounts of biometric and personal data, which could lead to long-term de-anonymization of online spaces and increase risks associated with data centralization.

Garga.eth, co-founder of BAYC, admitted that Discord accounts for crypto projects have always been vulnerable to hacking and have been breeding grounds for phishing scams. If verification thresholds are raised without improving account security and user cybersecurity education, more communities might choose to shut down Discord and switch to other communication tools.

Discord’s new age verification system reflects the ongoing tug-of-war between regulatory pressure and privacy rights faced by global social platforms. Facial scans and identity verification may help protect minors, but they also turn platforms into concentrated repositories of sensitive personal data.

This article, “Discord Launches Age Verification: Facial Scans and ID Uploads Spark Privacy Concerns,” first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.