Discord implements new age verification, users split into three categories
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Discord has begun implementing a new age verification system for new users to limit access for children and adolescents to content that is not age-appropriate.
According to Engadget on Tuesday (22/9) local time, the policy began being implemented this week after the platform planned to require some users to undergo age verification via facial scanning or identity scanning. This plan was previously delayed in February due to concerns regarding privacy and the collection of personal data.
In the new system, Discord will automatically group users into either the Adult or Teen category based on several indicators, such as account age, joined servers, and user activity.
Users can view their account age category through the Account Status menu in the settings. Discord stated that approximately 90 per cent of its users will not need to take any additional action if they are placed in the appropriate age category.
Meanwhile, users placed in the Unconfirmed category, or those with unverified ages, will be presented with several options to prove they are over 18 years old.
The available options may vary by region, ranging from verification via credit cards, Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Google Wallet, and AgeKey credential services, to methods such as identity card scanning or facial video capture.
To address privacy concerns, Discord stated that age verification service providers will permanently delete user data once the verification process is complete. Furthermore, the facial scanning-based age verification process will be conducted entirely on the user’s device.
Users placed in the Teen category will face several restrictions. Messages from users who are not friends will be directed to the message requests folder.
Teen users will also be unable to access certain age-restricted content. This includes sensitive images flagged by Discord’s content filtering system, as well as servers, channels, and bot commands that are only accessible to adult users.
Additionally, full information regarding the profiles and activities of teen users will only be visible to friends and members of small servers.
Users placed in the Unconfirmed category will be subject to two restrictions: limitations on messages from non-friends and restricted access to certain content, until they complete the age confirmation process.