Discord Age Verify: Scan Face or Lose Access

Discord's Mandatory Age Verification: Face Scans or ID Required Starting March

Discord is rolling out a major policy change in early March that will require all users worldwide to verify their age through face scans or government-issued IDs to regain full access to the platform. This shift aims to enhance teen safety by defaulting everyone to restricted "teen-level" settings until verification is complete.

What the New Age Verification Policy Entails

Starting in early March, Discord will implement a phased global rollout affecting both new and existing users. Accounts will automatically switch to teen-appropriate restrictions, limiting access to certain features until users prove they are adults. The goal is to create a safer environment, particularly by curbing exposure to explicit content and improving protections for younger users.

Key Restrictions for Unverified Users

• Blocked access to age-restricted (18+) servers, channels, and app commands.
• Enhanced content filters that blur or hide sensitive or graphic material.
• Direct messages from unknown users routed to a separate message request inbox.
• Warning prompts for friend requests from unfamiliar accounts.
• Limited participation in Stage channels, where only verified adults can speak.

These measures ensure a controlled experience, aligning with increasing regulatory demands for child protection on digital platforms.

How to Verify Your Age on Discord

Users have straightforward options to lift restrictions. The primary methods include facial age estimation, which processes video selfies entirely on the user's device, or submitting a government-issued ID like a driver's license or passport to third-party vendors. In some cases, both may be required based on account activity or region.

Discord promises quick processing, typically within 24-48 hours, and emphasizes privacy: device-based scans never leave your phone, while ID images are deleted immediately after confirmation in most instances. Personal details such as names or locations are not retained. An upcoming age inference model will analyze metadata like user activity and gaming patterns to potentially exempt some adults from manual verification.

Privacy Concerns and Recent Context

This update comes shortly after a data breach in October 2025 involving a previous third-party vendor, which exposed government ID photos of around 70,000 users. Discord has since changed vendors and bolstered security protocols to address these issues. While the company assures robust protections, some users express worries over biometric data and mandatory checks, potentially driving a portion to seek alternatives.

Discord's Rationale and Future Plans

The platform positions this as a proactive step toward a "teen-by-default" model, responding to global trends in online safety. More verification options are planned, building on the initial rollout. Discord anticipates minimal long-term disruption for verified adults, who will enjoy an unchanged full experience once confirmed.

Conclusion: Navigating Discord's Safety Overhaul

Discord's age verification mandate marks a significant evolution in platform safety, balancing user protections with access needs. As the March rollout approaches, users should prepare by understanding the process and weighing privacy implications against the benefits of unrestricted use.