Discord delays age verification to address user concerns

Engadget

by Anna Washenko

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Discord has delayed its global rollout of an age verification policy following user concerns over privacy and data sharing. Initially announced earlier this month, the platform faced backlash due to worries about requiring IDs and personal information, particularly in light of similar policies failing elsewhere. In response, Discord will postpone the implementation until the second half of 2026 and introduce changes to address these concerns. The company plans to offer more flexible alternatives for age verification, including credit card verification, which allows users to access age-restricted content without sharing IDs or undergoing face scans. According to Discord's co-founder and CTO Stanislav Vishnevskiy, the new system will only confirm age without revealing identity, targeting the less than 10% of users who need verification. Additionally, Discord is prioritizing transparency by avoiding vendors like Persona for face scans unless they operate entirely on-device. Discord also announced a new "spoiler channel" feature, enabling servers to restrict access to specific age-restricted channels without requiring all members to verify their age. The company will release a technical explainer on its automatic age determination systems to ensure compliance with legal obligations while maintaining user privacy. These changes reflect Discord's commitment to balancing safety for minors with the need for anonymity and minimal data collection. This shift highlights the growing tension between regulatory demands and user privacy concerns in tech. While age verification laws are spreading globally, Discord's approach demonstrates a platform prioritizing transparency and user autonomy. For tech enthusiasts and privacy advocates, this decision underscores the importance of thoughtful policy implementation in balancing legal requirements with digital freedoms.

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Originally published on Engadget on 2/24/2026