Discord Delays Global Age Verification Rollout and Cuts Ties with Peter Thiel-Backed Verification Vendor
Discord, a popular communication platform for gamers and communities, has announced that it will be delaying its global age verification rollout. This decision comes after the company faced backlash from users and critics over its initial plan to implement age verification using a Peter Thiel-backed verification vendor.
The delay was announced in a statement on the Discord blog, where the company acknowledged that it had made mistakes in its initial approach. Discord promised to provide greater transparency and more verification options for its users.
The age verification system was initially intended to ensure that users were at least 13 years old, as required by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). However, the company's initial plan was met with criticism from users and experts who argued that the system was invasive and would not effectively prevent minors from accessing mature content.
Discord's decision to delay the rollout and cut ties with the Peter Thiel-backed verification vendor is a significant development in the ongoing debate over online age verification. The company's commitment to providing greater transparency and more verification options is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen how effective the new system will be in preventing minors from accessing mature content.
The delay is also a setback for the company's efforts to expand its user base and increase revenue. Discord has been growing rapidly in recent years, and the company has been exploring new ways to monetize its platform. However, the controversy over age verification has put a damper on the company's plans and has raised questions about its ability to effectively manage its user base.
In the meantime, Discord has promised to provide more information about its age verification plans and to engage with its users and critics to ensure that the system is fair and effective. The company's commitment to transparency and user feedback is a positive development, but it remains to be seen how the new system will be received by users and critics alike.