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Discord, the popular chat platform used by tens of millions worldwide, has begun rolling out a new age verification system designed to better protect younger users and comply with evolving global safety regulations. The first phase of the rollout is now active in key regions, with wider deployment expected over the coming months.
The initiative comes as part of Discord’s ongoing effort to balance user freedom with community safety, especially for minors who may be exposed to content or spaces that are inappropriate for their age. Previously, Discord relied largely on self-reported ages during account creation, a method that critics said was too easy to misrepresent.
Under the new system, Discord will periodically ask users to verify their age using secure tools provided by third-party services. Rather than simply asking for a birthdate, the system compares submitted information to public records or uses secure verification methods that do not store sensitive data long-term.
In a statement to media outlets, Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, said:
“For most adults, age verification won’t be required, as Discord’s age inference model uses account information such as account tenure, device and activity data, and aggregated, high-level patterns across Discord communities. Discord does not use private messages or any message content in this process.”
Verified age status unlocks or restricts access to certain features and communities. For example, channels flagged as adult-oriented or potentially unsafe can be hidden from users who have not completed age verification. This approach aims to prevent younger members from joining spaces that may expose them to graphic content, explicit language, or harmful interactions.
Discord has announced some exciting changes that will introduce new safety features. These include warning prompts for friend requests from people you don’t know and a smart system that automatically sorts direct messages into a separate inbox.
This update represents one of the platform’s most significant policy changes in recent years, especially as social media companies are under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of younger users online.
