Discord’s New Face Scanning Age Checks: A Game-Changer in Online Safety and Privacy?

Discord is exploring face scanning technology to confirm users’ ages in the UK and Australia. With over 200 million monthly users, Discord originally catered to gamers but now hosts various communities, including those discussing adult content.

New UK online safety laws require platforms with adult material to implement strong age verification by July. According to social media expert Matt Navarra, this move indicates a broader trend. "Regulators want solid proof, and facial recognition might be the quickest way to get there," he explains.

However, not everyone is on board. Critics argue that age checks can be inefficient and raise privacy concerns. Navarra believes we are moving past simple age declarations like "click here to confirm you’re 13." “If companies don’t get age verification right, they risk losing users and facing legal consequences,” he warns. Under the Online Safety Act, failure to comply could lead to fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue.

Instagram has already introduced age verification using facial scans since 2022. Users must take a selfie video for age estimation or can submit a photo ID. Discord’s upcoming verification, described as a one-time check, will trigger when users access sensitive content or modify their privacy settings. Users can choose between face scanning or ID upload. Notably, Discord assures that the scanned data won’t be saved; it will remain on the device or be deleted after verification.

Privacy advocates like Big Brother Watch caution that age verification technology is not a perfect solution. Senior officer Madeleine Stone highlights risks like security breaches and privacy violations. There’s ongoing debate about the best ways to implement age checks. The Age Verification Providers Association claims there are many effective methods to age verification, some capable of estimating age within one to two years based on a selfie or user behavior.

In Australia, the government is also taking strict measures, planning to ban social media for users under 16 this year. A recent study found that over 80% of Australian kids aged 8-12 use platforms meant for those over 13. In New Jersey, authorities are suing Discord for allegedly misleading parents about its safety controls related to child usage.

As debates on online safety continue, the emphasis on robust age verification processes is only expected to grow. For further details on age verification measures in social media, you can check out BBC News.

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