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‘I do not trust them’ – top streamers left concerned by Discord age checks
Alastair, a prominent LGBT streamer on Twitch known online as Eret, commands a substantial following of over one million fans. The US-based British content creator, who prefers to keep his last name private, manages a Discord server boasting approximately 60,000 members. Discord, a popular online communication platform widely used by gamers, is implementing new age verification measures that have sparked significant apprehension among its high-profile users, including Eret.
"A lot of people use the online world as a place where they can talk about things that they might not feel safe talking about with people in the real world, where being queer might result in being prosecuted," Alastair told the BBC. His concern is palpable: "I really do not want to send Discord my ID given their track record – I do not trust them." This distrust stems from a previous data breach in October, where Discord acknowledged that official ID photos of around 70,000 users may have been compromised due to a security lapse at a third-party vendor responsible for age verification.
Following an initial announcement about its age verification system, Discord faced considerable backlash. The company subsequently clarified that its age estimation technology would mean the "vast majority" of users would not be subjected to manual age checks. However, these assurances have done little to quell the anxieties of some users. The platform’s recent trial of age-checking software, provided by Persona in the UK, has drawn particular scrutiny. This attention is amplified by Persona’s backing from an investment firm co-founded by Peter Thiel, the head of the controversial US data analytics company Palantir.
The ramifications of Discord’s new policies are already being felt within the online community. Searches for "Discord alternatives" have seen a global surge, and numerous social media users have declared their intention to cancel their Discord subscriptions. For creators like Alastair, who prioritize the safety and privacy of their online communities, these developments represent a significant blow.
‘A dangerous precedent’
Toby, a British content creator who streams as Tubbo and is renowned for his Minecraft gameplay, boasts an impressive following of over 5.2 million on Twitch and 2.7 million on YouTube. Despite Discord’s reassurances regarding its age verification process, Toby expressed a lack of confidence in the security of his personal data should he be required to verify his age.
"I just think it’s kind of a dangerous precedent for social media companies to request 3D scans of your face or official documents without there being any kind of knowledge of how that information is being protected or stored," he stated to the BBC.
Katie, an American streamer known by her online alias Pikachulita, shared similar sentiments. She voiced her uncertainty about the guarantees Discord could provide to users concerning the protection of their information against hackers and "other malicious entities." Katie elaborated, "We live in a time when it’s not too far-fetched to believe that companies like Discord could share this data with state or federal agencies – in the US or elsewhere – for their benefit." This concern highlights a broader societal anxiety about the potential misuse of personal data by tech companies, especially in the current geopolitical climate.
What changes are coming to Discord?
Starting in March, Discord is rolling out a significant update: all new and existing users globally will be placed into a "teen-by-default" experience. This new framework, which has already been implemented for users in Australia and the UK since 2025, restricts access to sensitive content or age-restricted servers and channels unless a user is verified as an adult.
Initially, Discord will attempt to identify adult users by leveraging existing data from their platform activity. For individuals whose age cannot be definitively determined through this method, a facial scan or the submission of official identification will be required to gain full access to the platform. Discord asserts that facial scans are processed locally on the user’s device and never leave it. Similarly, identification documents are used solely for age verification and are subsequently deleted.
Savannah Badalich, Discord’s head of product policy, has stated that these new default restrictions are designed to build upon existing safety measures, offering "teens strong protections while allowing verified adults flexibility." She emphasized that the intention is to enhance the safety of younger users without unduly inconveniencing adult users.
However, the implementation of these measures has not been without criticism. Dr. Peter Macaulay, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Derby, commented on the backlash, noting that it underscores the complex challenge faced by tech firms in deploying effective child safety tools while simultaneously maintaining the trust of their user communities. "Moving forward, age verification measures that verify age without retaining unnecessary personal identity information, and are transparent about data handling, are key," he advised.
Professor Carissa Vélez of the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University highlighted another critical issue: the inherent difficulty in trusting a company’s assurances regarding the handling of sensitive data. "Companies have broken their word before, facing little to no consequences," she observed, pointing to a history of data privacy breaches and broken promises by various technology giants.
The streamers who spoke to the BBC collectively agree that measures must be taken to safeguard children on platforms like Discord. However, they stress that these efforts should not come at the expense of compromising the sensitive personal information of other users.
"I just want to be able to make my content," Alastair concluded. "I want to interact with my community, and know that whatever platform they’re talking on, they’re going to be safe." This sentiment encapsulates the delicate balance between platform safety and user privacy that Discord is currently attempting to navigate, with significant implications for its vast user base and the creators who rely on its services. The rollout of these new age verification policies marks a pivotal moment for the platform, forcing a confrontation with the deep-seated trust issues that have emerged within its community. The long-term success of these measures will likely depend on Discord’s ability to demonstrably address these concerns and rebuild confidence among its most influential users.
Additional reporting by Emma Calder.
Nakalama John
George Anjay
