"Beginning in early March, users who are either (a) estimated by Discord to be under 18, or (b) Discord doesn't have enough information on, may find themselves locked into a " ." That means content filters, age gates, restrictions on direct messages and friend requests, and the inability to speak in "Stage channels," which are the large-audience audio spaces that power many community events."
"Discord says most adults may be sorted automatically through a new "age inference" system that relies on account tenure, device and activity data, and broader platform patterns. Those whose age isn't estimated due to lack of information or who are estimated to not be adults will be asked to scan their face or upload a government ID through a third-party vendor if they want to avoid the default teen account restrictions."
Age verification mandates now push users to surrender sensitive personal information to access basic online services. Platforms are increasingly enforcing age gates even where not legally required. Discord implemented a teen-focused account mode that applies to users estimated under 18 or lacking sufficient data, imposing content filters, age gates, limits on direct messages and friend requests, and blocking participation in Stage channels. Adults may be identified by an age-inference system using account tenure, device and activity data, and platform patterns. Users without an adult estimate must submit face scans or government IDs through third-party vendors to avoid restrictions. A 2025 breach exposed roughly 70,000 government IDs and selfies from one verification process.
Read at Electronic Frontier Foundation
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