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Fact check: Are federal entity's moving to discord servers looking for cyber crime

Checked on August 22, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is no direct evidence that federal entities are systematically moving to Discord servers to look for cybercrime. However, the sources reveal a complex relationship between federal law enforcement and Discord:

  • Federal agencies are investigating criminal activities that occur on Discord, particularly the FBI's investigation of groups like 764 and The Com, which use Discord servers for violent crimes and child exploitation [1] [2]
  • Discord has established formal procedures for cooperating with law enforcement, including protocols for submitting requests for user data and reporting illegal content [3]
  • Major security breaches have occurred on Discord, most notably the classified documents leak by Airman Jack Teixeira, which resulted in significant national security damage and led to disciplinary action against 15 Air National Guardsmen [4] [5]

The evidence suggests that rather than federal entities "moving to" Discord servers proactively, they are responding to criminal activities that criminals have chosen to conduct on the platform.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context:

  • Cybercriminals are actively using Discord as a platform of choice - gangs are infiltrating Discord to plan schemes and teach new hackers, making it a natural target for law enforcement attention [6]
  • Discord has become a hub for serious crimes beyond typical cybercrime, including child sextortion targeting children as young as 10, child abductions, and the creation of child sexual abuse material [1] [7]
  • The platform's gaming-focused user base makes it attractive to criminals who can blend in with legitimate users while conducting illegal activities [6]
  • International cooperation is involved - cases like the UK citizen extradited to the US for cyber crimes show that Discord-related investigations cross national boundaries [8]

Alternative viewpoint: Rather than federal entities "hunting" for cybercrime on Discord, the evidence suggests they are reacting to Discord becoming a preferred platform for criminals. This represents a shift in criminal behavior that law enforcement must adapt to, rather than a proactive surveillance expansion.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains several potentially misleading implications:

  • The phrase "moving to Discord servers" suggests a deliberate, systematic surveillance expansion by federal agencies, but the evidence shows they are responding to criminal activity that has migrated to the platform [1] [2] [6]
  • The question implies this is primarily about "cyber crime" when the sources reveal much more serious criminal activities including violent crimes, child exploitation, and national security breaches [1] [2] [4]
  • The framing suggests federal overreach rather than acknowledging that Discord has formal, transparent procedures for law enforcement cooperation that balance user privacy with public safety [3]

The question may reflect concerns about government surveillance, but the evidence indicates that federal involvement with Discord is largely reactive and focused on serious criminal activities rather than broad cybercrime monitoring initiatives.

Want to dive deeper?
How do federal agencies use Discord to track cybercrime?
What are the implications of federal entities monitoring Discord servers for free speech?
Can Discord servers be used as evidence in cybercrime cases?
How does Discord's privacy policy impact federal investigations into cybercrime?
What role do federal entities play in preventing cybercrime on social media platforms like Discord?