In February, Discord announced a delay in its plans for global age assurance following user feedback. The company has now outlined its updated approach, which aims to provide a clearer and less intrusive method for age verification. This comes as age assurance laws are expanding globally, prompting Discord to launch age assurance in regions including Brazil and Texas. The new system will automatically categorize users into age groups based on account signals, such as account age and server participation, without accessing personal messages or content.
Starting tomorrow, Discord will begin placing users into age groups automatically, with over 90% of users not needing to confirm their age. Users can check their age group status in User Settings under Account Status. If a user is an adult but not placed in the adult age group, they can confirm their age in the same section.
The age group estimation model analyzes account behavior patterns to differentiate between adults (18+) and teens (13-17). Factors include account activity levels and community engagement, ensuring that no single server or friend influences the age determination. Discord emphasizes that user privacy is a priority, and the model does not utilize any personal messages or calls.
While the model aims for accuracy, Discord acknowledges that it may make mistakes and will continue to refine the system over time. The age estimation model is not yet available for users in the UK and Australia. Users in the teen age group will have protections against accessing age-restricted content, while adult users will not experience changes to their core functionalities.
Discord has introduced various methods for confirming age, including options that do not require ID or selfies. Users can confirm their age through methods such as credit card verification or age range sharing through app stores. The company assures users that their data will be handled with care and privacy in mind.
The rollout of the age assurance system is part of Discord's commitment to enhancing teen safety while maintaining the platform's core experience. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on the new system as it is implemented.