Discord is testing facial recognition and ID verification, claiming it’s a child protection effort aligned with U.S. and Australian policies—but privacy advocates are sounding the alarm over biometric data collection.

Since its debut in 2015, Discord has been the go-to communication tool for gamers and communities alike, offering everything from voice chats to livestreams and interviews. But even with its widespread popularity, the app hasn’t been immune to controversy, and now, it’s facing one of its most divisive decisions yet. In the United Kingdom and Australia, Discord has started piloting an age-verification system that uses facial recognition to comply with new laws aimed at shielding minors from inappropriate online content.

In an official support post, Discord maintains that the verification process aligns with the legal requirements of both countries. Users will be prompted to verify their age either by scanning their face using a webcam or phone camera or by submitting a government-issued ID like a driver’s license. This only kicks in when users try to access content marked as sensitive or change privacy settings related to that content.

The company insists the goal is to “keep minors from being exposed to complex situations.” Whether using a live facial scan or uploading ID documentation, Discord stresses that no personal data is stored on its servers at any point in the process.

Critics Slam Discord Over Scanning Children’s Faces

Though the company labels this as a trial program, digital rights activists have already raised red flags. They point to the collection of biometric data as a major privacy concern, especially given the lack of clarity about how the data is handled or secured. According to a March 2025 report from Bloomberg, both the UK and Australia are tightening restrictions on under-16 social media access, with parallel movements in the United States demanding stricter regulation over app downloads and usage by minors.

The shared objective of these initiatives is to reduce minors’ exposure to potentially harmful content. However, by introducing invasive tools like facial recognition, platforms like Discord have ignited a global debate about how far we should go to protect children—and what we’re sacrificing in the process. Privacy, anonymity, and free expression all hang in the balance as governments and tech firms push for tighter control online.

Source: 3djuegos