Discord has announced a major safety overhaul that will introduce global age verification beginning in March 2026, automatically applying stricter content controls to all users who are not confirmed as adults.
Under the new policy, both new and existing accounts will default to a teen experience, limiting access to servers, channels and features that contain mature or sensitive content.
Restrictions for unverified users
Accounts that are not verified as adult will face several automatic safeguards, including:
- Filters that block adult or sensitive content
- Messages from unknown users redirected to a separate inbox
- Restrictions preventing minors from speaking in Stage channels
The company said the changes are designed to create a safer environment for younger users as online communities continue to grow.
Multiple verification methods offered
Discord will provide several ways for users to confirm their age. One option uses AI-based facial age estimation, where a short video is analysed locally on the device to estimate whether the user is an adult. The company stated that the footage is not uploaded to cloud servers.
Users may also verify their age using a government-issued identification document processed through third-party partners. The approach has raised privacy concerns among users, particularly after a 2025 incident in which a former verification vendor experienced a data breach affecting around 70,000 individuals.
In an interview with The Verge, Discord’s head of product policy, Savannah Badalich, said the company stopped working with the affected vendor immediately and now uses a different partner. She added that submitted documents are deleted after verification and that the company does not store personal details such as names or addresses.
Discord also clarified that the facial system performs age estimation, not biometric identification or facial recognition.
AI-based background detection
In addition to direct verification, Discord plans to deploy an AI system that can infer age in the background by analyzing account behavior and metadata, such as activity patterns and the types of games played. This method may allow some users to be identified as adults without submitting documents.
Regulatory pressure and user impact
The global rollout follows earlier trials in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the UK, the initiative was linked to compliance with the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to implement age assurance measures.
Company officials acknowledged the changes may lead to some user loss but said the potential impact has already been factored into planning.
Ongoing challenge of system circumvention
Age verification systems have historically faced attempts at circumvention. During earlier testing, some users reportedly tried to bypass checks using character images from video game photo modes. Discord said such vulnerabilities were addressed quickly and that the company expects continued attempts to exploit loopholes.
The move reflects a broader industry shift toward stricter age controls as regulators and safety advocates push platforms to take greater responsibility for protecting younger users online.
