Discord
Discord business and news from across the web.
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Over 48% of unreleased games have a Discord server, and I'm sure this is all fine and normal and I don't miss…
The article discusses the increasing prevalence of Discord servers for video games, with over 48% of unreleased titles having a server. It highlights concerns about game companies relying on Discord for their entire news cycle and the potential risks associated with data privacy and dependence on a single tech company.
Discord rolls out a nice improvement for video calls on Linux
Discord has released a significant update for its Linux version, introducing background replacement for video calls. This update also includes performance enhancements, making the app launch faster, and improvements to accessibility features for users relying on screen readers.
MMO Business Roundup: Nintendo’s tariff lawsuit, gen AI in decline, and Discord’s latest security mess
This MMO business roundup covers several industry issues, including Nintendo's lawsuit against U.S. tariffs impacting the Nintendo Switch 2, Clickout Media's alleged use of AI-generated content on acquired gaming sites, and the U.S. government's use of game references in propaganda. It also notes a potential decline in generative AI adoption among game developers and a security flaw in Discord's SDK that exposed private messages.
How AI Moderation Catches Toxic Gamers in Real Time
This article analyzes how AI moderation systems are being used in real-time to detect and flag toxic behavior in multiplayer games, moving beyond simple keyword filters. Companies like Modulate, Activision, and Microsoft are employing sophisticated AI models that analyze voice tone, context, and player history to identify problematic interactions, with data from Call of Duty showing significant reductions in toxicity exposure and repeat offenses. While not perfect, these systems are improving game safety and player retention, with further advancements and wider adoption expected due to technological progress and regulatory pressures.
Discord fixes bug that caused app to take upwards of two whole minutes to launch
Discord has fixed a bug that caused its application to take over two minutes to launch on iOS devices. The issue, which could also lead to element animations getting stuck, was detailed in the company's recent patch notes.
Morning Safety Dance
Discord has announced it will provide guidance to developers and implement additional protections following the discovery of a bug affecting Arc Raiders. The FBI is reportedly investigating claims related to the incident.
"We are providing guidance to developers" - Discord promises a fix and "additional protections" following discovery of Arc Raiders bug that stored users' private messages
Discord has addressed a data security issue where the Arc Raiders integration stored users' private Discord messages locally on their PCs. Embark Studios has released a hotfix, and Discord is providing updated guidance and protections to developers through its Social SDK to prevent similar incidents.
COPPA 2.0 passes the Senate again, unanimously this time
The US Senate has unanimously passed the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), which aims to enhance online protections for minors by preventing platforms from collecting their personal data without consent. This bipartisan bill, a modernized version of the 1998 act, seeks to address current online activities like targeted advertising. While it has passed the Senate multiple times, it has yet to clear the House of Representatives, facing opposition from industry groups like NetChoice.
Trump administration debates getting Chinese Tencent money out of US gaming over feared security risks
The Trump administration is reportedly debating whether to force Chinese company Tencent to divest its US gaming investments, citing national security concerns. This includes Tencent's full ownership of Riot Games and a significant stake in Epic Games. The administration is also concerned about Tencent's influence on games like Clash of Clans, despite its Finnish development.
Scientists warn against crappy age verification: 'if implemented without careful consideration… the new regulation might cause more harm than good'
Over 400 researchers and scientists have signed an open letter warning that current age verification technologies and regulations may cause more harm than good. The letter highlights significant privacy and data protection concerns, the potential for users to be pushed to dangerous fringe websites, and the risk of censorship if such systems are misused by authoritarian governments. Concerns are amplified by past data breaches, such as one involving Discord, where user IDs were exposed.
MMO Week in Review: The clock strikes Midnight
This week's MMO news roundup covers the early access launch of World of Warcraft: Midnight, BitCraft entering its second early access phase, and Gamigo reviving Gloria Victis. The article also touches on layoffs at Corepunk, Discord's postponed age verification rollout, and various updates and issues across numerous other MMO titles.
Valve in hot water, Discord begs forgiveness, and more game media layoffs - Patch Notes #42
This week's gaming news roundup covers significant industry events including Microsoft's Xbox leadership changes, Valve facing a lawsuit over gambling in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, and layoffs at companies like Riot Games and Eurogamer. Additionally, Krafton appointed a chief AI officer, Embark Studios' CEO became Nexon's executive chairman, and Discord delayed its age verification rollout.
Discord delays controversial age verification rollout, saying it "missed the mark" following community outcry
Discord is delaying its controversial age verification rollout after significant community backlash, with co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy admitting the company "missed the mark" in its communication. The company will not require face scans or ID uploads from all users, instead relying on internal systems for most age determinations, with third-party verification reserved for a small percentage of users accessing age-restricted content.
'We failed at our most basic job:' Discord delays age verification rollout
Discord is delaying its age verification rollout, which requires face scans or identity documents, until the second half of 2026 due to community backlash and privacy concerns. The company's CTO admitted they failed to clearly explain the process, leading to widespread skepticism, especially after a past data breach. New verification options, including credit card usage, will be added, and Discord pledges transparency regarding third-party vendors.
Discord delays age verification rollout to second half of 2026 following backlash
Discord has delayed its global age verification rollout to the second half of 2026 due to significant backlash and privacy concerns from users. Co-founder and CTO Stanislav Vishnevskiy acknowledged the company's failure to clearly communicate its intentions, clarifying that widespread face scans and ID uploads are not planned. The company also addressed concerns about data collection and a previous security incident, emphasizing stricter vendor requirements and data handling policies.
Discord concede they mucked up their age verification system rollout, delays it, will still make some of you do it
Discord has delayed the global rollout of its age verification system to the latter half of 2026, acknowledging missteps in its initial announcement and the use of Persona, an identity detection firm. The company stated that 90% of users will not need to verify their age, with options for the remaining 10% designed to only collect age information. Discord also confirmed they will not work with Persona due to their data handling practices and will ensure any future partners meet stricter on-device processing requirements for biometric data.
Discord admits it rushed age checks and is rethinking the rollout
Discord has delayed its global age-verification rollout until the second half of 2026, admitting it mishandled the initial announcement and faced user backlash. The company plans to introduce more verification options, enhance transparency regarding data handling and partners, and ensure on-device processing for any facial age estimation. This decision comes amid growing concerns about facial scans, ID checks, and third-party vendors, as well as increasing online safety laws in various regions.
Discord delay global rollout of age verification to improve transparency and add more options
Discord is delaying the global rollout of its age verification system to improve transparency and offer more user options. The company acknowledges a failure in clearly explaining the process and intends to add more verification methods, such as credit card verification, and enhance vendor transparency before proceeding. For regions where age checks are legally mandated, such as the UK and Australia, current rules will remain in place.
Discord announces age verification will be required for all users from March
Discord announced it would implement age verification for all users starting March, with accounts unable to prove their age facing a limited experience. Following backlash, the company clarified that most adults will not require manual verification as age will be inferred from account data. The verification process may involve facial age estimation or submitting documents to third-party partners.