**Discord’s Controversial Age Verification System: Collaboration with Persona**
Discord, the popular voice, video, and text communication platform, recently confirmed its collaboration with Persona, an identity verification firm backed by the Founders Fund, which is directed by Peter Thiel. This partnership is a part of Discord’s newly implemented global age verification system, currently in effect in the UK and Australia, with plans for a broader rollout beginning in early March.
Persona’s role in this initiative is described as an “experiment,” particularly focusing on users located in the UK. The firm is set to temporarily store user information on its servers for up to seven days during this verification process. This development has raised significant privacy concerns among users and observers who are wary of how personal data is managed, especially given the implications that come with being part of a data collection experiment.
Discord previously assured its user base that identity documents provided to its vendors would be swiftly deleted—often immediately after age verification—causing skepticism when this new experimentation was announced. Many users expressed outrage through social media, concerned about how their data would be handled and the intentions behind this “experiment.” Critical articles covering the controversy have emerged from various gaming news outlets, further amplifying user distrust.
In response to user outrage, Discord updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the platform’s support site, clarifying the process: “If you’re located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted.” This statement, however, did little to quell the anger amongst a community already discontent with the introduction of the age verification system, which notably includes face scan technologies powered by machine learning.
Persona’s funding, notably from the Founders Fund with a reported valuation of $1.5 billion, includes ties to Peter Thiel, a controversial figure known for his investments in various high-stakes ventures. Thiel is associated with Palantir Technologies, a company infamous for its work with government surveillance initiatives and immigration enforcement agencies. The connection to such an entity has deepened concerns regarding user privacy and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of technology for age verification purposes.
Palantir’s track record includes collaboration with organizations like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in tracking undocumented migrants, raising alarms over potential human rights violations. The UK government’s dealings with Palantir for creating patient databases within the NHS have also faced backlash from healthcare professionals wary of the implications of such partnerships.
Given this backdrop, many users echoed a preference to steer clear of participation in identity verification systems tied to Peter Thiel, particularly those employing artificial intelligence in potentially intrusive ways. Discord’s history of privacy issues further underscores the community’s hesitance, as there have been recent incidents involving data breaches that compromised user information.
As Discord moves forward with its age verification system, the reception among users, especially those in regions where the system is currently implemented, remains tepid at best. Concerns about personal data privacy, corporate accountability, and ethical practices in technology will likely shape the ongoing discourse surrounding this system in the future.
