Discord Is Testing Facial Scans to Verify Your Age! Is This the Future of Online Safety?

How does Discord’s age verification work? Will facial scans become the norm for apps?

Logging into your favorite chat app only to be asked to scan your face or ID to prove your age. This is now a reality for some Discord users in the UK and Australia.

Discord, a popular platform for gamers and communities, has started testing new ways to check users’ ages.

This move has sparked curiosity and concern among users worldwide. Why is Discord doing this, and what does it mean for you? Let’s dive into the details.

Why Age Verification Matters

Social media platforms are under pressure to protect younger users from harmful content. New laws in places like the UK and Australia require apps to make sure kids can’t access adult material.

Discord’s new system asks verification their users age when they try to view sensitive content or change settings to allow it.

You can either scan your face using your phone or webcam or upload a photo of your ID, like a driver’s license or passport.

This is a one-time check, and Discord says it’s only testing this in two countries for now.

The goal is to keep underage users safe. If the system thinks you’re too young, your account could be banned until you appeal.

But not everyone is happy about this. Some users worry about sharing personal information, even if Discord promises not to store it.

How the Facial Scan Technology Works

Discord’s facial scan happens on your device, meaning the data doesn’t get sent to their servers. The technology guesses your age based on your face and compares it to the rules for your country.

If you choose the ID option, you scan a QR code and upload a clear photo of your ID. Once verified, Discord sends you a message with your age group. They say the process takes just a few minutes.

This isn’t the first time a platform has tried this. Instagram started using facial recognition for age checks in 2022, and other apps like OnlyFans have similar systems.

But the tech isn’t perfect. It can struggle to tell the difference between a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old, which could lead to mistakes.

Privacy and the Future

Privacy is a big concern. Discord says it doesn’t keep your face scan or ID data, and the process is handled by a third-party company.

Still, many users are uneasy about handing over such personal details. Some worry about data leaks or the tech being used in other ways down the line.

This could be the start of a bigger trend. Experts say more platforms might adopt facial scans as governments push for stricter age rules.

The UK’s Online Safety Act, for example, will require strong age checks by July 2025. Other countries might follow, meaning we could see more apps asking for your face or ID soon.

Discord’s experiment raises important questions. Is this the best way to keep kids safe online? Will users trust the system?

As the platform tests these changes, the world is watching to see if facial scans become the new normal for social media.

You might also want to read: Mysterious QR Codes Appear on Over 1,000 Graves in Munich