Discord Trials ID and Facial Scans for Age Checks in Australia and the UK
Discord is piloting new age verification tools in Australia and the UK, requiring users to submit government-issued ID or complete a facial scan to confirm their age.
As part of the trial, users whose content is blurred by Discord’s sensitive media filter — and who haven’t already verified their age — must complete the verification process before viewing the content or adjusting the filter settings.
According to Discord’s support page, age verification is a one-time process. The platform states that neither it nor its third-party vendor will store the data used for verification. Once completed, users receive a direct message confirming their age group. If the classification is inaccurate, users can request a manual review.
The move may be driven by tightening regulations in both countries. In Australia, children under 16 are barred from using social media platforms. Meanwhile, the UK’s Online Safety Act mandates that sites capable of hosting adult content implement “robust” age verification methods.
Discord’s announcement coincides with mounting legal pressure. The state of New Jersey recently filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that it fails to adequately protect minors from exploitation.
“Discord has deceived children and parents about the efficacy of the application’s safety features, leaving children vulnerable to harassment, abuse, and sexual exploitation by predators who lurk on the platform,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin wrote in the complaint.
The lawsuit also criticizes Discord’s open access features, which allow users to register under any display name and connect with strangers. Platkin argues that this makes it “alarmingly easy” for adults to gain private access to minors.
“Unless permanently enjoined and held to account for this conduct,” he adds, “the children in New Jersey will remain vulnerable to the predatory and harmful behavior that Discord allows.”
