Discord will soon ask for a face scan or ID to access sensitive content
Discord on Monday said it will begin rolling out “teen-by-default” settings in March, requiring all adults to submit proof of age to access sensitive content and adult-only spaces as the platform expands its global safety push.
-
Access to sensitive content and adult-only spaces will now require age verification – through facial age estimation or government-issued ID.
-
The rollout comes after a 2025 breach tied to an age-verification vendor, fueling debate over whether ID checks and facial scans introduce new security risks.
-
The platform is also launching a US-based Teen Council, giving teens ages 13 to 17 direct input into future safety features – with parental consent required.
The instant messaging platform announced the upcoming change in a blog post on Monday as part of its “long-standing commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive experience for users over the age of 13.”
Under the phased roll-out, new and existing users will face stricter default protections, with certain features – including age-restricted channels, unblurred sensitive content, direct messaging, and open friend requests – requiring age verification.
The company says the changes are designed to strengthen age-appropriate safeguards without compromising privacy.
“Rolling out teen-by-default settings globally builds on Discord’s existing safety architecture, giving teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility,” said Savannah Badalich, Head of Product Policy at Discord.
Still, not all Discord users were thrilled with the restrictive changes, citing an October 2025 data breach in which more than 70,000 customer government IDs were compromised via one of its age-verification vendors.
"Normalizing companies to do IDs or face scan will become a gateway for companies to be even more invasive while even if “well intentioned,” said one X user.
It’s the parents job to regulate and educate their kid on internet usage and what forms of media can influences such behaviors
undefined Ego ⭐️⛓️ (@EgoAomine) February 9, 2026
Normalizing companies to do IDs or face scan will become a gateway for companies to be even more invasive while even if “well intentioned”.
The initial breach, claimed by the Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters cybercriminal group, has led to numerous threats of follow-up data leaks. Furthermore, the ransomware trio at the time, claimed to have about 521,000 age-verification tickets in its possession, a far cry from the 70,000 claimed by Discord.
Inside Discord’s age verification system
Starting March 1st, adult users can either upload a government-issued ID or verify their age using the platform's new facial age estimation software.
“We design our products with teen safety principles at the core and will continue working with safety experts, policymakers, and Discord users to support meaningful, long-term wellbeing for teens on the platform,” Badalich said.
Discord is also introducing a new “age inference model” that runs in the background to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult or a teen – without always requiring users to verify their age.
“Some users may be asked to use multiple methods if more information is needed to assign an age group,” the company said.
Discord says it has incorporated key privacy protections alongside the new age-assurance tools, including:
- On-device processing: Video selfies for facial age estimation never leave a user’s device.
- Quick deletion: Identity documents submitted to our vendor partners are deleted quickly – in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.
- Straightforward verification: In most cases, users complete the process once, and their Discord experience adapts to their verified age group.
- Private status: A user’s age verification status is not visible to other users.
Teens get a seat at the table
For the first time, the social messaging platform is spearheading the creation of a new teen advisory council, designed to “bring authentic teen perspectives into how Discord shapes their experience.”
The council, comprising 10 to 12 members, will be tasked with providing age-appropriate input on future product features, policies, and educational resources.
Discord says teens ages 13 to 17 living in the US, interested in serving on the Teen Council through May 2027, can apply online from now until May 1st, 2026. Parental consent is required.
“The Teen Council will help ensure Discord understands - not assumes - what teens need, how they build meaningful connections, and what makes them feel safe and supported online,” the announcement said.
The global rollout builds on similar launches in the UK and Australia last year, marking Discord’s most expansive teen safety update to date.
