**Discord Rolls Out Global Age Verification System Amid Increased Focus on Online Safety**

As part of its ongoing efforts to create a safer and more inclusive experience for users, Discord has announced the global rollout of an age verification system that includes an advanced "age inference" model. This move comes in response to several high-profile incidents of child grooming, sexual abuse, and exploitation on the platform.

The new system, which is already operational in the UK and Australia, will be implemented worldwide in a phased manner starting from early March. Users will be required to undergo an age-verification process to change certain settings or access sensitive content, including age-restricted channels, servers, or commands.

Discord's age verification system allows users to choose between two options: facial age estimation or submitting a form of identification to its vendor partners. Additionally, the platform will employ an "age inference" model that runs in the background to determine whether an account belongs to an adult without requiring explicit verification every time.

According to Discord's official statement, users may be asked to use multiple methods if more information is needed to assign an age group. The company assures that it will not infringe on users' privacy and has implemented four key privacy protections:

  • The platform does not send emails or text messages about the age assurance process or results.
  • Users can see their assigned age group in their account settings.
  • They can appeal against the result and retry the process.
  • The company has implemented measures to prevent other users from learning a user's age through hacking.

Discord's move is part of a broader effort to address concerns about online safety, particularly in the wake of several high-profile incidents. In June 2023, NBC News reported on 35 cases of adults being charged with "kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault" that involved Discord, along with 165 cases of prosecution for sharing child sexual exploitation material.

In March 2024, an investigation by The Washington Post, Wired, Der Spiegel, and Recorder exposed a Discord channel used to orchestrate sexual abuse and murder, with links to police cases worldwide. Discord subsequently removed over 34,000 accounts associated with the group.

Discord's new age verification system comes amid increased pressure on digital platforms to regulate sexually explicit or themed content. Last year, payment processors initiated a crackdown on transactions of adult games on Steam and Itch, leading to concerns about censorship and free speech.

To ensure that its platform is tailored to the needs and preferences of teenagers, Discord is recruiting a "Teen Council" consisting of 10-12 teenagers who will help shape the platform's policies and features. The Teen Council members will work closely with Discord's developers to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions that promote online safety and inclusivity.

As one might expect, some users have expressed concerns about the implications of an "age inference" system running in the background without explicit user consent. Questions have been raised about how exactly this system works and what data it collects.

**What You Need to Know:**

* Discord's new age verification system includes a facial age estimation option or submitting identification to vendor partners. * The platform will employ an "age inference" model that runs in the background to determine users' ages. * Users may be asked to use multiple methods if more information is needed to assign an age group. * Four key privacy protections have been implemented, including measures to prevent hacking and protect user data.

**Get Involved:**

Discord invites interested teenagers to apply for a spot on its Teen Council. The council will play a crucial role in shaping the platform's policies and features to promote online safety and inclusivity.