Discord is postponing the global release of age verification originally set for March and will now launch it in the second half of 2026, as announced on Tuesday. The platform faced backlash after proposing that users would default to a “teen-appropriate experience” unless verified as adults.
Discord clarified that 90% of users won’t need to verify their age. Many can continue as usual since they don’t access age-restricted content, and the platform’s safety systems already identify adult users through account longevity, payment methods, and server types.
CTO Stanislav Vishnevskiy acknowledged in a blog post that the implementation would be controversial, particularly issues around identity and verification. He admitted that clearer communication was needed.
He explained that misconceptions about mandatory face scans and ID uploads arose, stressing that this misunderstanding indicated a failure in communication. Only 10% of users need age verification, with new methods like credit card checks planned. Users opting out will retain full access, excluding age-restricted content and some teen protection settings.
The company plans transparency about verification vendors and will ensure verifications happen on users’ devices. Discord distanced itself from Persona, a former partner, due to backlash over its affiliations and data practices. Discord faced criticism due to a prior vendor-related data breach, impacting 70,000 users, but has since ceased partnerships with the responsible vendor.