Discord delays age verification measures as it admits what it got 'wrong'

Polygon

by Austin Manchester

February 24, 2026

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Discord delays age verification measures as it admits what it got 'wrong'

Discord has delayed its controversial "teen-by-default" age verification measures, which were initially set to roll out in March but are now pushed to the second half of 2026. The platform had faced significant backlash from users who criticized the mandatory adult verification process as intrusive and a potential deal-breaker. In a blog post, Discord co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy acknowledged the skepticism surrounding its age determination methods, which rely on factors like account activity and payment history rather than facial recognition scans for most users. While the company will continue enforcing legal requirements in countries like Australia, Brazil, and the UK, it is taking extra time to refine its approach globally. The delay reflects Discord's efforts to address user concerns about privacy and trust. The platform has committed to adding more verification options, such as credit card verification, and ensuring transparency by documenting all third-party vendors' practices on its website. Additionally, Discord will require any facial age estimation partners to perform scans entirely on-device to protect user data. These changes aim to reassure users who have expressed concerns about the company's handling of personal information, particularly after a recent security breach. Discord also plans to introduce new features tailored to gaming communities, including a dedicated "spoiler channel" option for topics like politics or heavy discussions that don't require age gating. The platform will publish a detailed technical blog post before the global rollout, explaining how its automatic age determination systems work and addressing privacy concerns. While these measures may help rebuild trust, critics argue that the delay could be too little, too late, as many users have already explored alternatives following the initial announcement. For gaming enthusiasts, this development matters because Discord is a critical platform for community building and gaming communication. The delay highlights the

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Originally published on Polygon on 2/24/2026