Fact check: Is discord checking for id

1. Summary of the results

Yes, Discord is checking for ID as part of an age verification system currently being tested. Multiple sources confirm that Discord has implemented an age verification experiment that requires users to provide either facial scans or government-issued ID uploads to access certain content ^[1].

This verification system is specifically being rolled out in the UK and Australia as part of a trial program ^{[1] [2]}. Users may be prompted to verify their age when attempting to access content considered harmful or when adjusting certain settings ^[2]. The system is designed to comply with regulations in these countries regarding age-appropriate content access ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual details:

• Geographic limitation: The ID checking is not a global rollout but specifically limited to users in the UK and Australia ^{[1] [2]}
• Experimental nature: This is currently a trial or experiment, not a permanent, widespread policy ^[1]
• Trigger conditions: Users are only prompted for verification when accessing specific types of content or making certain setting changes, not for general platform use ^[2]
• Security vulnerabilities: The system has significant flaws - it can be bypassed using fictional character images, specifically a "Sam Porter Bridges selfie from the game Death Stranding" ^{[3] [4]}

Privacy advocates and users concerned about data collection would benefit from highlighting the system's flaws and privacy implications, as sources note concerns about "the collection of sensitive and biometric data" ^[5]. Conversely, regulatory bodies and child safety organizations would benefit from promoting the effectiveness of such verification systems to support age-appropriate content policies.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "Is discord checking for id" is overly broad and could be misleading because:

• It implies a universal policy when the verification is geographically restricted to specific countries ^{[1] [2]}
• It doesn't specify that this is an experimental trial rather than a permanent feature ^[1]
• The phrasing suggests comprehensive ID checking when it's actually content-specific verification triggered only under certain circumstances ^[2]
• It fails to acknowledge the system's documented vulnerabilities that allow users to bypass verification using video game character images ^{[3] [4]}

The question's simplicity could lead to misunderstanding about the scope, purpose, and effectiveness of Discord's age verification measures.