## Discord Tests Age Verification Using Facial and ID Scans to Comply with New Regulations
Discord is experimenting with a new age verification process that requires some users to scan their face or submit a photo of their ID to access sensitive content or change content filter settings. The platform has described the process as an “experiment” currently being trialed in the United Kingdom and Australia, responding to local laws aimed at safeguarding children online.
The new requirements are triggered in two specific scenarios: when a user encounters nude or sexually explicit content flagged by Discord’s sensitive media filter, or when they attempt to disable the filter. In these instances, users will be prompted to either scan their face using their device’s camera or upload a photo of their ID by scanning a QR code.
This initiative appears to be Discord’s response to increasingly stringent online safety laws in the UK and Australia. The UK’s Online Safety Act mandates “robust” age-checking techniques for platforms hosting potentially pornographic content. Australia is going even further, requiring platforms to prevent under-16s from accessing social media entirely.
Discord claims that the verification process is a “one-time” requirement for users who haven’t previously verified their age on the platform. While the company asserts the information submitted is not stored, the reliance on facial scanning raises concerns about potential inaccuracies and wrongful bans, especially given the possibility that some users might be incorrectly identified as being under the permissible age. Discord states that users who are incorrectly verified can retry the process, request a manual review, or appeal a ban.
Despite the potential drawbacks, Discord emphasizes the privacy-preserving nature of the verification methods. “For Face Scan, the solution our vendor uses operates on-device, which means there is no collection of any biometric information when you scan your face,” they stated. “For ID verification, the scan of your ID is deleted upon verification.”
It remains to be seen whether Discord plans to expand this age verification process to other regions. The outcome of this trial in the UK and Australia will likely influence future decisions regarding age verification methods across the platform globally. As online safety regulations become more prevalent, Discord’s experiment highlights the challenges and potential solutions facing social media companies in protecting younger users while respecting user privacy.