Discord has announced a delay in its global rollout of age verification, which was initially scheduled for next month. The new timeline pushes the launch to the second half of 2026. In a blog post, Discord’s Chief Technology Officer, Stanislav Vishnevskiy, acknowledged widespread misunderstandings about the verification process, clarifying that the platform will not require face scans or ID uploads from all users. He emphasized the company’s failure to clearly communicate its intentions and outlined plans to address user concerns.
The platform is set to introduce a variety of age verification options before its global launch, including the use of credit cards. Furthermore, Discord plans to document all verification vendors and introduce “spoiler channels,” which will allow users to discuss certain topics without resorting to age-gated channels. Additionally, the company will publish a technical blog that details the workings of its age estimation systems.
In jurisdictions where regulations mandate age verification, like the UK, Australia, and Brazil, adults seeking access to age-restricted content will need to utilize a verification vendor such as k-ID. Discord noted that its initial proposal to default accounts to a “teen-appropriate” experience unless verified as adults faced criticism, with the company stating that this plan would affect only approximately 10 percent of accounts, as the majority do not engage with age-restricted content.
Discord also detailed how its internal systems for age estimation operate. Utilizing a range of account-level signals, such as the age of the account and the presence of payment methods, the age determination process mirrors existing safety protocols that prevent spam and abuse. Importantly, it does not analyze users’ messages or conversations.
The backlash against the age verification announcement was exacerbated by a previous data breach involving one of Discord’s third-party vendors that compromised user information and scanned IDs. In response, Discord maintains that it collaborates with external vendors to prevent linking accounts to identifiable data, and it has ceased partnerships with vendors involved in breaches. To increase transparency, Discord has set new criteria for age verification partners, insisting that any facial age estimation must occur entirely on-device. The company has confirmed that Persona, which was involved in earlier testing, did not meet this new standard.
This proactive and transparent approach by Discord aims to mitigate user concerns related to privacy and data security, fostering a safer online environment.