Discord will enforce ID verification or a face scan requirement from March 2026 to let users access content on the platform. Before March 2026, ID verification was not required on Discord.
Discord decided to enforce verification to meet the privacy regulations and safety concerns. Discord IPO is also under consideration. The company wants to meet regulations to launch its IPO successfully.
From now on, Discord will place every user under teen-appropriate experience. It is a default setting in Discord. You cannot access age-restricted content on Discord without verification.
Discord has more than 200 million monthly active users. It is one of the most popular platforms to build communities and brands.
While it helps businesses and SMEs to grow their influence, the impact on teenagers puts Discord in a position to make this move.
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Discord Global Age Verification:
March 2026 is the day to roll out Discord age verification for global users. Users without verification will be restricted from using features.
Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, explained that most adult users do not require manual verification.
Discord has developed an age inference model.
Here is what the Discord Age Inference Model Does:
- Track account tenure and age.
- Track activity signals and device
- Aggregate usage patterns across different communities.
Note: Discord will not use message content or private messages in the age estimation process.
Not Verified on Discord: What Will Happen
If you do not verify your age on Discord, then it will limit the features and benefits. By default, Discord places many users into the teen-experience category.
Discord’s teen-by-default experience means:
- Blocked access to age-restricted channels and servers
- Not able to speak in Stage channels
- Filtered or blurred graphic content.
- Warning when receiving friend requests from unfamiliar users.
- Separate inbox to send direct messages from unknown users.
eAskme’s analysis reports that even if you have joined a server before March 2026, it still requires age verification before unlocking access.
How Discord Verify User’s Age:
Discord does not have the authority to infer your age.
It gives users features like facial age estimation and government ID upload.
Facial Age Estimation:
- Discord asks user to upload their video selfie.
- After uploading a video selfie, the Discord AI uses it to estimate the user’s age based on facial features. The video always stays on the user's device.
Government ID:
Users need to upload their government ID to Discord’s verification partners.
Discord will use ID for verification and deleted after the process is completed.
Note: Discord claims that it does not store ID images and face scans after the verification process.
Why Discord Enforces User Age Verification:
Discord claimed that the user age verification is part of teen safety and compliance. It is necessary to meet the online safety requirements.
Badalich explained that Discord’s teen-by-default settings ensure safety. It ensures the teens’ safety.
Discord’s announcement explains that:
- Age verification requirement in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
- Pressure from lawmakers to ensure teen-safety policies.
- Discord’s CEO was questioned during a 2024 U.S. Senate hearing about child safety.
- Discord may also be ready for a public IPO.
These are a few of the major reasons why Discord has decided to roll out an age verification process.
Privacy Concerns and Data Breaches:
An age verification system is necessary to protect teens in the online world.
Not only that, but Discord also faced a data breach where the data of 70,000 users was exposed online to third-party vendors. This data also includes government IDs.
To ensure strong security practices, Discord is using age verification as a tool. It will also delete any ID or facial video used in age verification.
What Will Change:
Drew Benvie, a social media consultant, said that age verification in Discord will reshape its reputation.
eAskme founder, Gaurav Kumar, added that age verification is a must in online communities to ensure that age-appropriate content is served to the right audience.
If Discord successfully rolls out the age verification process, then competitors will also use age verification to ensure user safety.
- Negative Impact: Age verification will also impact the user experience, as some of the users may leave the platform.
Why it matters:
Discord’s ID verification and face scan displays the industry's shift to age-gated policies and access.
No matter how users react to this change. It is necessary and inevitable.
The goal is to ensure teen privacy, safety, and trust.
Privacy Concerns and Age Verification:
While regulations want the social media platforms to ensure user safety, organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have opposed the age verification practices.
EFF argues that age verification will expose users to potential data abuse and unnecessary data collection.
Risk or Opportunity:
Adding extra effort to let users access content always causes some stir.
While many users welcome the change or may not complain, there are a few who will go away from Discord if they do not want to share their ID or a facial selfie.
If the policy backfires, then Discord will lose users.
Discord must educate users about the need and benefits of the age verification process.
Discord Following Industry Trend:
Discord is not the only social media platform which enforces age verification.
There are major social media and gaming platforms that use age verification to serve appropriate age content.
Here are the examples of Social Media Platforms with Age verification or Restriction:
- Meta: It is using teen safety features on Instagram and Facebook.
- TikTok: It has added default restrictions for youngsters.
- Roblox: It introduced mandatory facial age verification for chat features.
Remember: Roblox faced scrutiny and lawsuits for not implementing child safety standards.
Discord has observed the industry trend and decided to roll out an age verification process.
What Discord Users Should Expect:
Discord will roll out the age verification process in phases. The user may notice changed to content visibility.
It will display prompts and warnings when you receive unknown friend requests. It will also block access to certain features.
Without verification, adults will not be able to access age-restricted content on Discord.
Teen Safety and Digital Privacy:
Discord is acknowledging the issue to protect minors without breaking trust and damaging user privacy.
Lawmakers are also pushing internet platforms to enforce strict policies to ensure user safety and identity protection.
Transparency, data security, and compliance are a must for online platforms.
Conclusion:
Starting March 2026, Discord requires age verification using a video selfie and a government ID. It enforces user safety with the promise not to store verification data on its servers.
The privacy settings in Discord will protect teens from accessing age-restricted content.
FAQs:
What is the Discord Age verification Process?
Discord wants users to upload video selfies, and the government issues ID cards to verify age.
Why Discord Requires Face Scan or ID Verification?
Discord wants to confirm the age of the user before unlocking the age-appropriate content.
Why was Discord launched?
The goal for Discord verification process is to confirm if the user is minor, teen, or adult. It will help the platform keep it safe for teens and young adults.
Is it Safe to Upload Selfies and Government ID on Discord?
Yes. Discord deletes verification selfies and IDs from its database after completing the process.
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