Discord has begun a staggered rollout of its age verification system, a feature first announced in February. The company initially delayed full implementation to incorporate a wider range of age-assurance methods, notably avoiding controversial biometric or digital ID systems due to privacy concerns, particularly following a significant data breach.
Instead, Discord is employing an algorithmic approach that analyzes account tenure, server affiliations, and gameplay habits to ascertain user age. This model, detailed in a technical blog post, will not be universally available, with regions like the UK and Australia falling under existing stringent social media regulations. Discord estimates that over 90% of users will not be required to verify their age, though the system is not infallible and some accounts will necessitate confirmation for unrestricted access.
Users seeking to bypass direct ID or video verification have options, including utilizing services like Apple Pay, Google Play, Google Wallet, AgeKey, or entering credit card details. The implementation of age verification has coincided with the appearance of sponsored advertisements for the sports betting website FanDuel for American users, leading to speculation about a connection between the two events.
A Discord spokesperson addressed the sponsorship, stating, "We’re taking a deliberate, user-first approach to evolving our ads business to add genuine value that connects naturally with our users' sports, gaming and entertainment interests.” The company clarified that the FanDuel sponsorship was a limited test in the United States and that Discord's policies still prohibit ads for traditional real-money gaming, such as casinos and sportsbooks.
Discord further noted that ads for Daily Fantasy Sports and the FanDuel brand are targeted at adults, with the platform utilizing "age signals" to prevent teens from viewing inappropriate content and to ensure appropriate settings are applied. Users who wish to opt out of sports betting advertisements can navigate to Settings > Data and Privacy > Sponsored Content > Manage Sponsored Content and disable "Real Money Gaming."