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Discord

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Discord
Basic Information
Release Year 2015
Product Type Messaging/VoIP Platform
In Production Yes
Official Website https://discord.com


Discord is a proprietary VoIP and instant messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel). Launched in 2015, the service has grown to over 150 million monthly active users as of 2025. While primarily marketed toward gamers, Discord has expanded to serve various communities and use cases.[1]

Consumer Protection Profile

Privacy

Status: Significant Concerns

  • Collects extensive user data including messages, voice communications, and server participation[2]
  • Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with unclear retention periods[2]
  • Processes user content for safety features and platform improvement[2]
  • Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers[2]
  • Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization[2]
  • Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information[2]
  • May store deleted messages for undefined periods[2]
  • Claims broad rights to user-generated content through terms of service[3]

Transparency

Status: Moderate Concerns

  • Privacy policy written in relatively clear language compared to industry standards[2]
  • Provides clear community guidelines with defined enforcement procedures[4]
  • Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions[4]
  • Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests[2]
  • Server ban appeals process lacks transparency[4]
  • Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors[2]
  • Vague about specific data retention timeframes[2]
  • No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement[2]

Freedom

Status: Significant Concerns

  • Mandatory binding arbitration with class action waiver for U.S. users[3]
  • Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes[3]
  • Can terminate accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion[3]
  • Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content[3]
  • No option to opt-out of core data collection while using the service[2]
  • Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion[2]
  • Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned[3]
  • Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions[3]

Consumer Protection Incidents

FTC Data Collection Investigation (Sep. 2024)

In September 2024, the Federal Trade Commission released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data collection practices as part of a broader investigation into social media platforms.[5]

The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:

  • Message content and metadata
  • Voice chat participation
  • Server membership and activity
  • Device and location information

Particular concern was raised about:

  • Collection of data from users under 13
  • Handling of minor user information
  • Inadequate age verification systems

The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:

  • Identity theft exposure
  • Potential stalking risks
  • Discrimination concerns
  • Mental health and emotional impact

The FTC concluded that Discord's data practices created unacceptable risks for users, particularly minors, and called for significant reforms to the platform's privacy protection measures.[6]

Child Safety Concerns (Jun. 2023)

An NBC News investigation in June 2023[7] uncovered widespread child safety issues on Discord, revealing systematic problems with the platform's user protection measures.

35 separate cases were identified where adults were criminally charged with "kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault" involving contacts initiated through Discord. Additionally, 165 criminal prosecutions involving the sharing of child sexual exploitation material on the platform were documented.

Discord stated they had increased safety measures, including:

  • Enhanced age verification systems
  • Improved automated detection tools
  • Increased moderation staff

Despite these measures, investigations showed continuing vulnerabilities in Discord's youth protection systems.[8]

Fined for GDPR Violations (Nov. 2022)

In November 2022, France's privacy regulator CNIL imposed an €800,000 fine on Discord for multiple GDPR violations[9] that demonstrated systematic privacy protection failures:

  • Background Process Violation: The application continued running in the background after users attempted to close it, collecting data without user awareness or consent
  • Voice Chat Privacy Issue: The platform failed to properly disconnect users from voice chats after session termination, potentially exposing private communications
  • Security Standards Violation: Discord allowed users to create passwords with as few as six characters, falling below accepted security standards for protecting user accounts
  • Data Protection Failures: The investigation revealed broader systematic failures in Discord's approach to user privacy protection and data handling

References

  1. ↑ "About Discord | Our Mission and Values". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 "Discord Privacy Policy". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Discord's Terms of Service". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Discord Community Guidelines". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services". September 2024. Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ Tolentino, Daysia (September 19, 2024). "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'". NBC News. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ Goggin, Ben (June 21, 2023). "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions". NBC News. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ Winston, Ali (March 15, 2024). "There Are Dark Corners of the Internet. Then There's 764". WIRED. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ Brunoli, Joseph (November 18, 2022). "France fines Discord €800,000 for privacy infractions". Techzine Europe. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
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