Discord's face scanning age checks 'start of a bigger shift'

Discord, a widely used social media platform, is currently testing a new method to verify the ages of its users in the UK and Australia. With over 200 million monthly users globally, Discord was originally designed for gamers but has since expanded to include communities discussing a variety of topics, including adult content. Due to the UK's online safety regulations, platforms that host adult material are required to implement robust age verification systems. Social media expert Matt Navarra shared with the BBC that this initiative is not merely a temporary measure but rather the beginning of a significant transformation in online safety practices. He stated, 'Regulators want real proof, and facial recognition might be the fastest route there. ' This indicates that authorities are seeking reliable methods to ensure users are of the appropriate age when accessing certain content on platforms like Discord. However, there are concerns from various advocacy groups that these age verification methods may not be effective and could raise privacy issues. Navarra further commented, 'Age assurance is becoming the new seatbelt for the internet,' suggesting that age verification will soon become a standard practice in the UK. He added, 'The era of 'click here to confirm you're 13' is dead,' emphasizing that simply claiming to be a certain age will no longer suffice. Companies that fail to implement proper age verification could face significant consequences, including losing users and potential legal battles or fines. Under the Online Safety Act, companies that do not comply could be fined up to 10% of their global revenue. Instagram, another popular social media platform, introduced a similar age verification process in 2022, requiring users to take a selfie video to confirm they are over 18 or to upload a photo of their identification. Discord's face scanning feature will be tested as a one-time check for users when they first encounter content flagged as sensitive or if they change their settings regarding sensitive media. Users will have the option to either use the face scanner or upload a photo of their ID to verify their age. Discord assures users that the information collected for age verification will not be stored. The face scans will remain on the user's device and will not be sent to Discord, while any uploaded ID will be deleted after the verification process is complete. Content deemed sensitive is already automatically blocked or blurred for younger users. However, privacy advocacy group Big Brother Watch has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of age verification technology, stating that it should not be viewed as a foolproof solution. Senior Advocacy Officer Madeleine Stone highlighted potential risks associated with these checks, including security breaches, privacy violations, errors, digital exclusion, and censorship. On the other hand, the Age Verification Providers Association, an industry group, claims that there are numerous convenient and privacy-preserving methods available for age verification. Their executive director, Iain Corby, explained that the latest technology can estimate a person's age within one to two years based on a selfie or their movements. He also noted that platforms have the flexibility to decide how they implement age verification. They can choose to eliminate harmful content entirely, apply age checks across the entire site, or only verify ages before granting access to high-risk pages and posts. In Australia, there are plans to introduce a ban on social media for all individuals under the age of 16 this year. Research has shown that over 80% of Australian children aged eight to 12 are using social media or messaging services that are intended for users over 13.