I don't imagine this was a 100% their decision, it's more like a response to the epidemic of all the world's governments suddenly coming up with adult verification schemes. Discord has already required it in some countries, and it's definitely easier to get everybody to verify themselves than require it on a per-jurisdiction basis. The personal data they get is a cherry on top.

Also, this is just the beginning, more social networks will require the same soon.

They don't have to comply in advance.

I wouldn't call it a response, but rather another thing that normalises ID verification online. Now all these governments can use Discord as a reference that (1) this is possible at scale and (2) companies are willing to do this.

Seems like an unforced error to implement this before being forced to.

Especially if it's presented as a pop-up upon launching the app that suggests the user won't be able to talk to their friends/servers without showing ID. Carefully worded language would could spur some % of users to panic at losing years of history and immediately show ID. Folks with less privacy discernment hear "jump" and reply "how high".

> panic at losing years of history

I used to be like that. It was unsustainable and ultimately mentally unhealthy.

Yeah. You male new friends and find new experiences. Or maybe you don't. That's the cost of freedom, I suppose.

I get the draconian side of things, but I am also tired of thousands of russian, indian, domestic-funded etc. bots flooding the zone with divisive propaganda.

In theory, this seems like it would at least be a step in the direction of combating disinformation.

I'm curious if there are any better ways to suppress these propaganda machines?

I don't see how disallowing viewing "age-restricted" content through Discord without giving them your ID would have any impact on the spread of disinformation, outside of like, disinfo in the form or pornographic or gory images.

How do I know that this message isn't divisive propaganda posted by a bot?

Because it's not posted by a Russian/Indian account, duh!

In practical terms, it just ensures that the only bots flooding the zone with propaganda will be the ones owned by governments in whose jurisdiction Discord is.

I have done that for stripchat which was also requiring it. Not happy with it but I'd rather use a selfie than a whole ID document which includes an image anyway.

The thing is, what other option do I have?

I'll continue using Discord in teen mode, I guess. I'd rather not lose the current connections & servers I have on there, and I'm not optimistic about people migrating away, especially non-tech people.

Sounds like when Netflix reneged on family accounts.

I cancelled my account in protest, but their financials say they made money on the change (and thus all the execs are happy with it).

If it helps, it really seems like Netflix is only "making money" these days off of cutting programming and workers. It's not a sustainable way to grow and it will hit a wall soon.

Netflix supposedly added 24M, or 8%, subscribers in 2025.

https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/netflix-q4-2025-financial-e...

They also cancelled 25M good shows and played 800% more ads in the same time

I was planning to do that. My work chat is on Discord. I am an adult. Google and Netflix have my legal name and credit card number. I don't see how Discord having my ID is any worse.

The issue is that it's yet another platform that could leak your data? Why would you ever want to increase that chance?

Also, I'm not sure you would need to give discord your ID unless you're sending porn in your work chat or something.

In 30 years using the internet not once have my ID has been leaked (or my CC stolen, etc). Even if it happens now, and then 2 more times during my lifetime... the benefits of the modern internet exceed the risk of that happening.

It's weird how everyone here have been giving their credit card at restaurants and show their ID at events, but DISCORD is where they draw the line, somehow.

I'd give my ID to Discord if it was guaranteed that the leadership of Discord goes to prison in case of a data breach.

Why would the leadership should go to jail when a data breach is IT's fault? If your card gets cloned, the CEO of the bank should not go to jail. I agree with paying (HUGE) fines, but you suggestion is juvenile, at best.

> Why would the leadership should go to jail when a data breach is IT's fault

So that they don't create conditions under which such breaches are inevitable in the long run.

> giving their credit card at restaurants and show their ID at events

I've only had people look, glance, or swipe.

You're doing it wrong when you let them take a photo of you, your license, and your credit card whilst providing an email, your phone number, and agree to receive texts in order to get a code to proceed. Leave when they provide you an AUP, TOS, or privacy policy you must agree to prior. Stop staying for 30-days per their requirements, let them prance you around to God knows where like you're their property, asking them to wait whilst you research any involved, or worry about what happens when they're bought out.

When they hand it back saying you're a bot, or it's been refused, give them a daft look then try again. When their systems are down, meaning they can't see, don't try again when told to since vision doesn't work that way. What do I know though since you wouldn't shock me if you handed them your house keys instead, provided someone to escort them there, and then thanked them for their business. Hate to break it to you, but your line was missed, lost, ran off, or left you with the other lost souls in Baffleland.

I had the same thing with Reddit and let it see my face. It didn't bother me much - I don't really do anything more exciting there than this sort of hn comment. If I wanted to post controversial / illegal stuff I'd make a separate account.