Discord is changing how discoverable servers function, a move that will make messages and discussions within them searchable on the wider internet starting next month. This update aims to address the decline in forum usage by making valuable information previously locked within Discord conversations accessible.
Starting November 16, any server listed as discoverable will have a corresponding web page where its content can be found through search engines. While channel messages will become viewable on these pages in mid-December, server administrators will decide which channels are included, and individual users can opt out of having their messages appear. Usernames and avatars will not be displayed alongside these messages.
In regions including the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and South Korea, the setting for channel messages will be opt-in by default due to legal restrictions. Users in the teen age group are entirely excluded and cannot enable message visibility until they are adults. In other regions, the setting is opt-in by default.
The change, explained in a Discord blog post, acknowledges that traditional message boards were once common for structured conversations but that many communities have since migrated to Discord. This shift has resulted in valuable information being siloed within the platform.
However, the move immediately raises questions regarding the use of user data for AI training. Discord's current policy prohibits AI companies from training models on user messages. It remains unclear what safeguards will be implemented to prevent this now that these messages are publicly accessible. Users have individual control over whether their messages are seen, but the broader implications for data privacy on the open web, which is known for data harvesting, are a significant concern for some observers.