Overview
- All accounts will shift to a teen-appropriate default unless adulthood is confirmed, restricting age-gated servers, sensitive content visibility, and speaking in Stage channels while filtering unknown DMs.
- Discord outlines three paths: AI age estimation via on‑device video selfie, ID upload through partners, and a background age‑inference model that uses metadata but not private message content.
- Following clarification on Feb. 11, Discord says only a minority will be asked for a selfie or ID, most adults will be recognized automatically, and ID documents are deleted in most cases after checks.
- The company piloted the system in the UK and Australia and is creating a Teen Council of 10–12 members, with applications open to users aged 13–17 until May 1, 2026.
- Criticism from users and privacy advocates highlights biometric and identity‑theft risks after a 2025 leak of about 70,000 documents; Discord anticipates some user loss and is planning retention efforts.