Discord Makes Voice and Video Calls End-to-End Encrypted by Default

Overview

• In May 2026 Discord flipped the default for voice and video so calls in DMs, group DMs, voice channels and Go Live streams are end-to-end encrypted by default, with Stage channels excluded.
• The encryption runs on DAVE, Discord’s open-source audio and video E2EE protocol that the company says was externally audited by Trail of Bits and covered by a bug-bounty program.
• Discord completed a platform-wide migration to DAVE in March 2026 and is now removing client code that allowed unencrypted fallback so calls can no longer revert to plaintext.
• The company says it has no current plans to add end-to-end encryption for text because many server-side features assume plaintext and rebuilding them would be a major engineering problem.
• The move contrasts with recent decisions by other big platforms to scale back or avoid E2EE for messages and immediately boosts call privacy for users while likely renewing debates over law-enforcement access and platform features.