There is a rising concern regarding the potential negative effects of social media usage among children and adolescents, prompting many regions to enact laws aimed at mitigating this. In response, Discord has initiated a procedure that employs a combination of AI-driven face scans and identity verification in two specific circumstances …
Legislation for Child Protection
Social media platforms have faced criticism for allegedly trying to cultivate addiction among teenagers while failing to enforce their stated age requirements effectively.
This matter has become increasingly contentious, as various lawmakers are seeking to impose legally binding age restrictions or mandate parental consent for minors using social media platforms.
It’s not only American states taking action; both the UK and Australia have recently implemented stricter regulations governing app developers concerning usage by minors.
Additionally, there is ongoing discussion regarding who should be responsible for age verification. Currently, developers are tasked with performing checks within their applications; however, in 2023, Meta argued that app stores are better equipped to manage this responsibility, a stance that Mark Zuckerberg reaffirmed last year. This argument appears to be gaining traction, with at least nine US states exploring legislation to hold Apple and Google accountable for age verification.
Discord’s Facial Scanning for Age Verification
In response to the recent laws in the UK and Australia, Discord has begun requiring users to confirm their ages by offering a choice between scanning a government-issued photo ID or participating in a facial scan. The company refers to this as a trial, which is currently limited to these two countries, but it is likely to expand to the US if successful.
According to the company, users will be prompted to verify their ages under one of two specific conditions:
1. If you encounter content flagged by their sensitive media filter, you may need to verify your age group.
2. If you attempt to adjust your sensitive content filter settings, age verification may be required beforehand.
For instance, if you have suspected nudity images set to Blur, you will be prompted to verify your age if you try to disable that setting.
Discord states that a verification window will offer you a choice between two methods:
- Option 1: Face Scan
- Select Face Scan on the verification page.
- Grant permission for your camera when requested.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the scan.
- Click Done to submit.
- Option 2: Scan ID
- Select Scan ID on the verification page.
- Utilize your mobile device to scan the QR code.
- Take a clear picture of your ID following the provided guidelines.
- Click Done to submit.
If you choose to undergo a face scan, Discord asserts that the age estimation occurs on your device, ensuring that no data is uploaded or stored. However, if you opt for ID scanning, the image will be uploaded but deleted after verification.
It is important to note that if the verification process indicates you are below the required minimum age to use the app in your country, you may face a ban if you do not pass. Users can appeal this decision if they believe it to be incorrect.
Photo by Mark Farías on Unsplash
