Discord delays global age check to late 2026 over privacy concerns, using on-device checks only in regions with laws requiring it.

Due to user backlash over privacy concerns, ambiguous communication, and a previous data breach involving a verification partner, Discord is postponing the global rollout of age verification until the second half of 2026. The company makes it clear that most users won't be impacted and that only users in areas with legal requirements—such as the UK, Australia, and Brazil—will need to confirm their age. Third-party vendors must adhere to stringent privacy standards, and verification will be done via credit card checks or on-device facial age estimation rather than ID uploads. To lessen age-gating, Discord will list all partners, publish technical details, and add spoiler channels. Instead of using message content to estimate age, the system will use account signals such as activity and payment history.