Discord Bolsters Minor Safety with Global Age Verification System

Discord Launches Global Age Verification to Shield Minors from Adult Content.

Discord has announced a significant update to its global safety infrastructure, introducing a mandatory Age Verification system designed to protect younger users. This move aims to automatically tailor the platform experience to be age-appropriate and ensure a safer environment for minors worldwide.

Automatic "Teen-Friendly" Safeguards

Once the system identifies a user as a minor, several protective measures are triggered by default:

• Default Filtering: Content controls are automatically set to "Teen-Friendly" mode.

• Communication Limits: Direct messaging and social interactions are restricted to prevent unsolicited contact from strangers.

• Gated Content: Access to servers containing adult or "NSFW" (Not Safe For Work) content will be strictly prohibited without verified proof of age.

Privacy-Centric Verification Methods

To balance safety with data privacy, Discord offers two primary methods for users to verify their age:

1. Identity Document Verification: Users can submit an official ID through a verified third-party provider.

2. AI Facial Age Estimation: A privacy-preserving tool that estimates a user’s age based on a "selfie," without storing facial recognition data.

Discord has emphasized that they do not store sensitive personal documents directly on their servers and are looking to integrate additional verification options in the future.

Discord's facial age estimation technology is becoming the new standard, replacing traditional ID card uploads. It analyzes facial pixel density instead of identification, significantly reducing the risk of personal data leaks.

This adaptation by Discord stems from global legal pressure, such as the UK Online Safety Act and laws in several US states that impose hefty fines if platforms cannot prove they protect children from inappropriate content.

For server owners, this change may mean a temporary decrease in subscriber numbers due to stricter screening, but it will help create a higher-quality and "brand-safe" community, facilitating long-term sponsorship and advertising.

The challenge Discord faces is the accuracy of the AI's ability to detect children who appear "too old" or adults who appear "too young," which could lead to user friction. This is why Discord is preparing alternative verification methods. 

 

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Source: Discord