Discord will require ID or a biometric check to view adult content

Discord has announced a global change that places most users into a restricted experience by default and demands proof of age to unlock adult-oriented channels and unblur sensitive media. The company will let people confirm adulthood either by submitting a copy of an identity document or by taking a video selfie that is processed with automated age-estimation technology. Discord says verification inputs are transient — deleted after checks — and that raw biometric data will not be retained, while also expanding internal safety governance with a teen advisory group. The shift follows existing age checks in certain countries and mirrors steps taken by other major social platforms seeking to reduce minors' exposure to mature material. Privacy advocates are warning that even ephemeral verification workflows can create new vulnerabilities, especially because Discord previously had an incident where personal verification images for a large number of users were exposed after a vendor compromise. Operationally, enforcing age gates across millions of community spaces presents a heavy technical and moderation burden; the company will need robust tooling to avoid breaking legitimate user flows or creating widespread friction. From a user-retention perspective, stricter on-ramp checks could deter some long-standing members while making the service more palatable to parents, regulators and advertisers. Security of third-party verification providers will be a focal point: any future breach could amplify distrust and invite regulatory scrutiny. The proposal also raises questions about accessibility and equity, since not all users possess government IDs or are willing to use biometric checks for nonessential access. Lawmakers who have pressed platforms on child protection will view the move as progress, but enforcement and auditability will determine whether it satisfies legal expectations. Vendors and peers will watch closely; successful implementation could set a compliance precedent, while visible failures could slow broader adoption of similar systems. In short, Discord's plan is a strategic bet that design-by-default protections will outweigh the operational, privacy and reputational risks involved, but the outcome will hinge on execution, vendor security and transparent safeguards.