Discord's plan to begin defaulting users to a 'teen-appropriate experience' unless they upload a copy of their ID or submit to a facial scan didn't appear out of thin air: it's a clear reaction to an international wave of legislation limiting access to social media and adult content without age verification. The Australian government has banned minors under 16 from using 10 social media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube and Twitch—though notably not Discord. The UK's Online Safety Act likewise demands that platforms provide age checks if users will be able to access "harmful content" including pornography, which is why UK Discord users have already been subject to ID verification since last year.
But why has the company jumped from users in a single country being forced to upload their ID or submit to a face scan to making it universal policy?
