- Discord’s age verification plans have been ‘clarified’ in an updated press release
- Multiple Nitro users have cancelled subscription plans after the announcement
- Discord’s X post has been community noted, due to recent data breach
Discord is facing backlash from its users due to its recent announcement of expanded age verification plans, and its recent damage control attempts haven’t been successful.
In an updated press release, Discord has added ‘clarification’ on its approach to its age verification plans, which is set for a rollout in March. The press release further highlights that not all users will be required to complete face or ID scans to continue using the platform.
Both the announcement and the updated press release have led to users canceling Nitro subscriptions, and many on Reddit and X are encouraging current subscribers to follow suit. A spike in ‘Discord alternatives’ searches is also apparent, according to Google Trends.
Notably, Discord states that the ‘vast majority’ of users will be able to continue to use the app as normal, without ever being asked to confirm their age. This is possible via Discord’s claims that it will be able to confirm age groups via the information it already has on users’ activity, and age predictions to access age-restricted servers or channels.
However, for users who are required to complete age verification checks, Discord claims ‘facial scans never leave your device’ and that IDs are only used to verify your age and are subsequently deleted.
If your deeply worried about Discord rolling out age verification globally you should cancel your Nitro. from r/pcmasterrace
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The same press release update has been community noted on X, as Discord faced a huge data breach in 2025, which leaked 70,000 government IDs. This directly contradicts its claims that personal selfies and IDs for age verification are deleted, and X users were quick to highlight the matter in replies.
It’s no wonder users are adamantly searching for Discord alternatives, as this March age verification rollout puts security and privacy at a major risk, despite Discord’s claims.
Many have also suggested that Discord’s press release indicates it’s already ‘spying’ on its users, as it states that many adults won’t need to complete age checks, due to ‘information we already have’.
It’s quite evident that Discord is in a state of damage control, and mass cancellations of Nitro subscriptions aren’t going to do it any favors.
Opinion: Discord, stop punishing everyone for others’ lack of parental control
We all want better online safety for children every and every time, and fortunately, many measures are already in place to facilitate that. The same applies to video games and entertainment with age ratings, to restrict underage individuals from accessing said content.
However, it feels as though everyone is now being punished for the lack of parental control from others, at the cost of having personal information leaked.
Discord’s Family Center exists to ensure parents can keep tabs on their children and their activity, and while this isn’t completely foolproof, it seems as though Discord is going down the extreme route for extra protection of kids – but frankly, it doesn’t feel like those are Discord’s true intentions, as it would’ve implemented such changes a long while ago if so.
It’s also worth noting that this has essentially come directly from the UK’s new Online Safety Act, but was initially only implemented for UK users. Discord is taking it a step further by enforcing this for all users worldwide, when it truly doesn’t need to, and I don’t blame anyone looking to step away from the platform for good unless it walks back on this decision.
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