Discord Delays New Age Verification Rollout After Backlash

Discord has decided to delay the rollout of its recently announced age verification process until late in the year, after users complained about its new teen-by-default policy.

Key takeaways

• Discord now assigns teen-level protections by default unless it confirms adulthood
• Over 90% of users may never see an age verification prompt
• Facial age estimation runs entirely on-device
• Third-party companies that will deal with ID verification will be made public
• Scanned ID will be deleted after age confirmation and user IDs won’t identify Discord users
• Discord delayed the global rollout to the second half of 2026 after backlash
• New age verification laws in multiple countries are accelerating these changes

Discord cofounder Stanislav Vishnevskiy now says that most users will never actually need to verify their age. However, adults who want access to age-restricted spaces may face facial age estimates or ID checks.

Why Discord introduced teen-by-default settings

Less than a month ago, Discord introduced a new age verification policy that basically treated everyone as teen by default.

“As part of this update, all new and existing users worldwide will have a teen-appropriate experience,” said the company in the original announcement in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny and upcoming legislation worldwide.

Under the new system, the platform applies stricter safety settings automatically unless it confirms a user is an adult.

• Sensitive content remains blurred
• Age-restricted servers and channels stay locked
• Messages from unknown users route into a separate inbox
• Only verified adults can modify certain safety controls

Previously, users could enter any birth date during signup, which meant that kids could technically get access to content meant for adults.

Discord says the goal is straightforward – protect teens by default while allowing adults full access once verified.

Why the backlash?

The backlash started because many users believed Discord planned to require universal biometric verification. In the initial announcement, the company mentioned facial age estimation and ID verification options, which amplified fears of mandatory face scans and large-scale biometric collection.

Users also questioned how vendors would handle data, especially given the latest third-party security incident that involved the leak of 70,000 IDs.

In its latest blog post, Discord now says it failed to clearly explain exactly what is happening. In fact, more 90% of users will likely never have to interact with the system at all, it says.

The company clarified that it does not require all users to upload ID or complete facial scans. Only users who try to access age-restricted spaces could be asked for additional verification.

How Discord’s age assurance system works

Discord says it uses a layered system. The first layer relies on automatic age inference, in which the company applies a machine learning model that evaluates account-level signals, such as activity patterns and account characteristics.

Vishnevskiy also says the system doesn’t look at message content for age determination. If the model has high confidence that a user is an adult, the user doesn’t need to provide any other input.

On the other hand, if this automated system can’t confirm the user is an adult and the user attempts to access age-restricted features, Discord will try other verification options.

One option involves facial age estimation. Users record a short video selfie, and the estimation runs entirely on-device. According to Discord, the facial data never leaves the phone, and the platform receives only an age group result.

The second option involves uploading a government-issued ID through approved vendors. Vendors process the documents solely to confirm age, then delete it almost immediately. Discord also says it receives only age group confirmation, and not the person’s identity.

What’s changing after user feedback

Following the backlash, Discord has delayed the global expansion of age verification to the second half of 2026.

The company also says it will publish detailed technical documentation explaining how its automatic age inference works. It also plans to publicly list all verification vendors and describe their data-handling practices.

Finally, Discord also said it will include age assurance data in transparency reports so that users know how often those face verification prompts are needed and how frequently automated systems handle age classification without additional steps.

Legal pressure behind the policy

Countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia already require stronger age verification frameworks. Brazil has introduced similar requirements, while European regulators and multiple US states are considering comparable legislation.

At the same time, lawsuits in several states have targeted major platforms over alleged failures to protect minors.

Discord has around 260 million users globally and approximately 28.9 million Discord servers.

The number of teens is difficult to estimate because the company doesn’t offer this kind of breakdown, but a 2024 Pew Research study found that 44% of teen gamers in the United States alone use Discord, which means that the total number of teens worldwide is likely considerable.

What this means for teens, adults, and parents

For teens, the change increases default protections. The new measures should help reduce kids' exposure to adult content and reduce unsolicited contact from unknown users.

For adults, daily usage likely remains unchanged unless they seek access to age-gated spaces or attempt to modify certain safety settings.

How to protect your online accounts

Whenever platforms introduce new verification systems, scammers act quickly.

• If you receive a message asking you to verify your Discord age, complete the process only inside the official Discord application
• Avoid clicking verification links sent via email or social media
• Strengthen your account security by enabling two-factor authentication and using a unique, strong password
• Monitor your account settings after completing any verification process

Stay protected as platforms evolve

Major platform updates create uncertainty, and uncertainty creates opportunities for attackers.

Bitdefender security solutions help you detect phishing attempts in real time, block malicious links before you click, and protect your devices from spyware and credential theft.

As age verification systems expand across platforms, layered cybersecurity becomes essential for protecting your digital identity.

FAQ

Will everyone need to verify their age on Discord?

No. Discord says most users will not need manual verification unless they try to access age-restricted features. The company estimates that more than 90% of the users will never have to prove their age.

Does Discord store facial scans?

Discord states that facial age estimation runs entirely on-device and does not leave the user’s phone.

Is ID verification mandatory?

Only users who want access to age-restricted spaces or certain settings may need to complete additional verification. And only after automated systems failed to determine the user’s age, which should be very rare.

Why did Discord delay the rollout?

The company delayed global expansion to expand verification options, improve transparency and publish technical documentation after user backlash.

Is age verification becoming mandatory everywhere?

Several countries already require stronger age verification systems, and more jurisdictions continue to explore similar laws, including the European Union.