Discord Users Are Furious About New Age Verification Checks
DiscordTuesday, 10 February 2026 at 02:31
Discord is about to make a big change, and many users are really upset. The social media giant announced that, starting in March, the platform plans to roll out age verification worldwide.
In simple terms, some users will have to prove their age by recording a short video selfie. This video selfie will estimate their age. It's similar to the face check on Roblox. Another alternative is sending in an ID through a partner system. Without doing that, access to certain features gets restricted.
A New Age Begins on Discord
For now, this mainly affects areas that are considered age-sensitive. This can include certain channels, types of content, and some interaction features. Discord says the goal is to make sure age-restricted spaces are actually limited to the right age groups. This does not sound like a bad move, considering how easy it can be for kids to access sensitive content in the platform.
Users are Mad About the New Verification System and Don't Want To Share Their Data
However, the pushback has been loud, and it mostly centers on privacy. Facial age estimation and ID checks both involve personal data that people do not take lightly. Discord says the facial check stays on the device and that ID documents are deleted quickly after verification.
Moreover, the company says it no longer works with a third-party vendor that previously had a security issue. Even so, some users are uneasy about handing over that kind of information, no matter the assurances.
It is worth noting that age checks are becoming more common across the internet. In several countries, new rules require platforms to do more to prevent minors from seeing certain types of content.
For large services that operate globally, ignoring those rules is not really an option. Changes like this are often tied as much to legal pressure as to internal company decisions. Like we've mentioned above, we saw the giant Roblox adjusting its policies to check users' age and prevent minors from accessing chat features. This also caused a big backlash.
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Online Safety vs Personal Data Sharing
So the situation sits in a gray area. There are clear arguments about online safety and making sure age-restricted spaces are handled properly. There are also clear concerns about how much personal data people should have to share just to use a communication app.
Obviously, some users are not taking this change lightly. According to them, they are looking at alternatives, from older voice chat tools to newer community platforms. At the same time, Discord’s size and existing communities make it hard to replace overnight. Many groups, friend circles, and hobby communities are already deeply rooted there.
Highlights
- Discord plans to roll out age verification globally starting in March
- Users may need to confirm their age through a video selfie or by submitting an ID
- Some features and age restricted areas will be limited without verification
- The update has sparked debate mainly around privacy and data security
- Discord says facial age checks stay on the device and ID data is deleted after use
- The move follows growing legal pressure in several countries to enforce age checks online
- Some users are considering alternatives, but Discord’s large communities make switching difficult
- The situation reflects a broader trend of stricter age controls across major platforms
What happens next will probably depend on how smoothly the rollout goes and how comfortable people feel with the process in practice. One thing is certain, though. Age verification is becoming a normal part of large online platforms, and Discord is one of the latest examples of that wider shift.
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