Backtracking a bit, Discord says 'vast majority' of users won't see its new age verification setup

[highplainsdem]

https://www.theverge.com/tech/876575/discord-age-verification-vast-majority-users-inference

Discord says ‘vast majority’ of users won’t see its new age verification setup/Either because they aren’t accessing age-restricted experiences, or if its AI predicts they’re old enough.

by Stevie Bonifield and Emma Roth
Feb 10, 2026, 8:17 PM UTC


On Tuesday, Discord released an update clarifying that the “vast majority of people can continue using Discord exactly as they do today,” without needing to use a face scan or ID to verify their age so they can use the platform without restrictions. Discord states in the post that “age prediction” using information Discord already has will likely be sufficient for many users:

-snip-

• Discord is not requiring everyone to complete a face scan or upload an ID to use Discord.
• The vast majority of people can continue using Discord exactly as they do today, without ever being asked to confirm their age.

-snip-

However, in the case that Discord’s age inference model can’t accurately or concretely estimate a user’s age, they will still have to use a video selfie or ID to verify that they’re an adult. Users who aren’t verified as adults or determined to be under 18 will have a “teen-appropriate” experience with certain limitations, like being blocked from age-restricted servers.

Some platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, OpenAI, and Anthropic, already use AI to “guess” the age of users on their services as they inch their way toward implementing age verification. Discord says it uses account information, device and activity data, and “high-level patterns” across the platform’s communities to estimate someone’s age.

Discord's statement:

https://discord.com/safety/how-discord-is-building-safer-experiences-for-teens

For the majority of adult users, we will be able to confirm your age group using information we already have. We use age prediction to determine, with high confidence, when a user is an adult. This allows many adults to access age-appropriate features without completing an explicit age check.

When additional confirmation is required, we offer multiple privacy-forward options through trusted partners.

[Igel]

1. I've known lots of Discord users.

I guess I have an account I haven't looked at since pre-COVID. Eh.

If the accounts from years ago still exist and are used, I could see how that would be true.

Wonder what they're using for predictions?