Discord has begun requiring some users in the United Kingdom and Australia to verify their age through a facial scan before being permitted to access sensitive content. The chat app’s new process has been described as an “experiment,” and comes in response to laws passed in those countries that place guardrails on youth access to online platforms. Discord has also been the target of concerns that it does not sufficiently protect minors from sexual content.
Users may be asked to verify their age when encountering content that has been flagged by Discord’s systems as being sensitive in nature, or when they change their settings to enable access to sensitive content. The app will ask users to scan their face through a computer or smartphone webcam; alternatively, they can scan a driver’s license or other form of ID.
[…]
Source: Discord Begins Testing Facial Scans for Age Verification
Age verification is impossible to do correctly, incredibly privacy invasive and a really hacker tempting target. The UK and Australia and every other country considering age verification are seriously endangering their citizens.
Fortunately you can always hold up a picture from a magazine in front of the webcam.
Robin Edgar
Organisational Structures | Technology and Science | Military, IT and Lifestyle consultancy | Social, Broadcast & Cross Media | Flying aircraft