Discord Trials Age Verification System in UK, Australia

Discord has launched an experimental age verification system in the UK and Australia that requires users to verify their age via either a facial scan or a government-issued ID before accessing sensitive content or changing sensitive content settings. This move comes in response to regulatory demands for more robust protections for minors online, with traditional self-reported age checks deemed insufficient by lawmakers. The facial scan method operates on-device, ensuring no biometric data is stored, while ID uploads are deleted after verification. Users found to be underage may have their accounts suspended or banned, but can appeal or request manual review if they believe they were misclassified. Privacy concerns have been raised, but Discord emphasizes that verification data is not retained by the platform or its vendors. The new system could potentially expand to other regions if online safety laws continue to evolve.