Discord’s ID Checks Sspark Gobal Privacy Backlash
Discord is facing mounting criticism after confirming it will introduce global age verification checks from March, requiring some users to prove their age via government IDs, facial scans, or automated estimation tools. The move has triggered a wave of backlash from users and privacy advocates, who warn the policy could erode trust in the platform.
The company says the rollout will apply only to certain users and will restrict access to some content and communities if age cannot be verified. However, many users have criticised the measures as intrusive, particularly the potential use of facial recognition and biometric data.
In the UK, some users reported being included in an «experiment» involving Persona, an age verification provider. The trial comes amid stricter local regulations under the 2025 Online Safety Act, which mandates age checks on platforms hosting adult content. Persona reportedly stores submitted data for up to seven days before deletion, raising additional concerns among privacy watchdogs.
Scrutiny has intensified due to Persona’s investment ties to billionaire Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir, a data analytics firm often criticised for its links to government surveillance programmes. Digital rights groups argue the association heightens fears about how sensitive user data could be handled or shared.
The controversy is further amplified by Palantir’s growing footprint in the UK public sector. The company has secured major government contracts, including deals with the Ministry of Defence and the NHS, fuelling debate over transparency, procurement practices, and the broader role of surveillance-linked technology firms.
Discord has not indicated whether it will revise the rollout, but the backlash highlights the growing tension between online safety rules and user privacy as platforms face stricter global regulation.
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