https://cybernews.com/security/global-data-leak-exposes-billion-records/

Speaking of ID verification companies being shady, #IDMerit, a global AI-based identity verification and "Know Your Customer" (KYC) solutions provider, left a terabyte of user data and biometrics on the open web. The breach exposed approximately 1 billion to 3 billion personal records across 26 countries, making it a significant event for data privacy in the financial and fintech.

Call me Cassandra. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦‍♀️ #infosec #datasec #ageverification #surveillance

Alternatives to facial recognition that Discord could use:

✅ Credit card verification (proves 18+)
✅ Privacy-preserving age tokens
✅ ID check without biometric storage
✅ Parental consent systems

Discord chose the MOST invasive option.

This isn't about age verification. It's about normalising biometric surveillance.

#Discord #Privacy #Surveillance #AgeVerification

Discords Persona Age Verification Suffers Data Leak, Exposes Massive Surveillance System

What’s worse than having one massive security incident associated with Discord? How about a second security incident.

https://www.freezenet.ca/discords-persona-age-verification-suffers-data-leak-exposes-massive-surveillance-system/

#news #privacy #Security #Discord #Palantir #PeterThiel #AgeVerification #Government #Persona @Paulatics

Do not comply.

Do not share your ID or biometric data with abusive platforms requesting it. You have a choice to say no, complain, and leave.

This is an important act of resistance for the future of humanity.

This isn't just about privacy, this is also about safety, diversity, democracy, and human rights.

#Privacy #MassSurveillance #HumanRights #Fascism #AgeVerification #IdentityVerification

🚨🔞 The number of countries planning age checks for social media keeps increasing. Will your country be next?

😡Age verification and ID checks destroy everyone's #privacy. 😡

Learn what countries are planning a social media ban for teens and fight #AgeVerification 💪

👉https://tuta.com/blog/age-verification-kills-anonymity

Alt...

Country flags: Australia, Turkey, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, UK, Canada, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, France

Alt...

16 crossed out

Discord wants to crack down on age verification for users. What does that mean and what are the alternatives? #Discord #privacy #AgeVerification #IDVerification #SocialMedia

CCIA’s Kyle Sepe is testifying today in Connecticut on HB 5037, a social media #AgeVerification bill that could create significant compliance challenges. Smart policy should protect young users while remaining workable in practice. Read more: https://ccianet.org/news/2026/02/ccia-to-testify-before-connecticut-lawmakers-on-social-media-age-verification-bill/

Alt...

CCIA's Kyle Sepe testifying before the Connecticut Legislature on Feb 18. 2026.

@samvarma

i have an account i look at once every couple of months to spy on developments

i haven't been able to in awhile, because every time i forget why, i'm reminded of why i can't see anything on #bluesky anymore, and then close the tab:

#ageverification

Alt...

Age Assurance Hi there! In order to provide an age-appropriate experience, we need to know your birthdate. This is a one-time thing, and your data will be kept private. Set your birthdate below and we'll get you back to posting and exploring in no time! Add your birthdate For organizational accounts, use the birthdate of the person who is responsible for the account. To log out, click here.

Predictable: Discord Users are Flocking to Alternatives

Discord users are responding to its age verification surveillance by flooding to alternatives. History is repeating itself.

https://www.freezenet.ca/predictable-discord-users-are-flocking-to-alternatives/

#News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #Discord #Matrix #server #Stoat #TeamSpeak

Discord Age Verification System Linked to Palantir

The Discord age verification controversy just keeps getting better. This thanks to the systems links to Palantir.

https://www.freezenet.ca/discord-age-verification-system-linked-to-palantir/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #Discord #ICE #Palantir #Persona #PeterThiel

The UK government is playing whack-a-mole with online safety.

Plans to further age-gate the Internet dodges the real issue – the power of Big Tech.

Failing to regulate AI and the age verification industry puts the rights of users in peril.

Read our response ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/online-harms-millions-could-be-forced-to-use-unregulated-age-verification/

#ageverification #privacy #dataprotection #bigtech #onlinesafetyact #ukpolitics #ukpol #socialmedia

Roblox, Reddit and Discord users must use biometric #ageverification tool backed by Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel

@JamesBaker says:

“People are worried, and angry, about having to hand over biometric scans of their face to overseas companies just to access online platforms. This includes children.

“Users deserve to know who is behind these systems, how their data is being used, and to have a real choice about who verifies their identity online.”

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/roblox-reddit-and-discord-users-compelled-to-use-biometric-id-system-backed-by-palantir-co-founder-peter-thiel/

Discord mandates age verification via selfies or IDs for adult content access, starting March globally. 🔒

Post-October breach exposing 70K user IDs, privacy fears mount over data handling and third-party trust. ⚠️

On-device AI claims minimal retention, yet users question bypass ease and accountability gaps. 🛡️

🔗 https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/discord-faces-backlash-over-age-checks-after-data-breach-exposed-70000-ids/

#TechNews #Privacy #DataBreach #AgeVerification #Cybersecurity #GDPR #UserRights #Biometrics #DigitalRights #Accountability #DataProtection #Discord #ID #Selfie

It wasn't before?

Discord advises UK users that they "may be part of an experiment" where instead of their age verification data never leaving their phone, it will now actually leave their phone

https://www.eurogamer.net/discord-advises-uk-users-that-they-may-be-part-of-an-experiment-where-instead-of-their-age-verification-data-never-leaving-their-phone-it-will-now-actually-leave-their-phone

#Discord #UK #AgeVerification #OnDevice #Privacy #Security #Tech #Gaming

🚨Attention Discord users, there's about to be a big change that will affect your privacy on the platform! 🧵

#privacy #discord #ageverification

🚨Attention Discord users, there's about to be a big change that will affect your privacy on the platform! 🧵 #privacy #discord #ageverification

Alt...

In the centre of the image, the discord logo has a warning symbol over it. Underneath it says “Discord will soon require a face scan or ID for full access.”

All they did was admit that they are using your data to predict your age before they get to your ID.

Surveillance capitalism at its finest!

Discord backtracks on controversial age verification rollout…kind of - 9to5Mac

https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/10/discord-backtracks-on-controversial-age-verification-rolloutkind-of/

#Discord #AgeVerification #Privacy #Security #Surveillance #Tech #Gaming

Data Breach Discord Announces Global Age Verification

Discord has announced that they will begin demanding everyone abide by age verification starting in March.

https://www.freezenet.ca/data-breach-discord-announces-global-age-verification/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #DataBreach #Discord #FacialRecognition #ID #PersonalInformation

Discord introduces global “teen-by-default” age verification

https://proton.me/blog/discord-global-age-verfication

#tech #technology #privacy #security #dataprivacy #cybersecurity #ageverification #discord #protonmail

Discord will default all accounts to "teen" mode next month, requiring face scans or ID for full access to age-restricted servers. 📱
Most skip via account inference, but unverified users face filters, DM limits, and blocked Stage channels—raising privacy concerns. 🔒

🔗 https://www.theverge.com/tech/875309/discord-age-verification-global-roll-out

#TechNews #Discord #Privacy #AgeVerification #Biometrics #Gaming #Data #Security #DigitalRights #Surveillance #ID #FacialRecognition #UserRights #Tech #Regulation #Game #Games

@adisonverlice precisely that!

The only reason I'd not consider someone showing a drivers' license or ID card in-store for purchases of alcohol and tobacco is because one can basically hold it to only reveal one's photo and DOB and because it's neither practivcal nor feasible for staff to try to remember all the details within a second.

• Besides they only do it when they are 'doubtful' about someone's age as it ruins their flow even in a kiosk or gas station since most people won't have their ID ready to present…

Personally, I don't know of any good way to solve this online/remotely without it implementing #KYC even through circumstantial connection.

• May it be #PayPal / #CreditCard (#AVS-bit) / #SofortIdent (part if #SOFORT, now acquired by #Klarna), #PostIdent or any other format.

Like even if one were to offer some *"#AgeVerification PIN" system (similar to TANs for #OnlineBanking) one would inevitably create a database if adults and their consumption / purchase / viewing habits.

• And that alone not only can, but will be weaponized to #blackmail and extort people.

So unless it's a #PaySafeCard-like system where one could just buy it at a kiosk fir cash (which does the *"age verification) there's no good way to do it.

• Although that too isn't secure nor watertight, as we all know from 17+ / 18+ / AO-rated games and movies: Just like tobacco & liquor it only needs some adults colluding to undermine it.

A lot of hate being directed towards Discord for introducing age verification. But when half the governments in jurisdiction you operate in start demanding it, perhaps anger should be directed towards polticans and groups who support it. #discord #privacy #ageverification

"#AgeVerification" IS the #IllicitActivity!

• You cannot verify age without ID'ing someoneto an extent.
• Unlike verification in meatspace, there is no good way to do so remotely/online!
• Anything similar is basically "#KYC with extra steps"!

The correct axtion thus is:

• Refuse to do so as a matter of principle!
  • Because #WhatYouAllowIsWhatWillContinue and we mist nit give #cyberfascists a single millimeter of breathing room aka. "benefit of doubt" to begin with…

Discord rolls out it's age verification requirement globally starting in March 2026. What it is, what you can do and my recomendation.

https://blog.gelbphoenix.de/your-face-or-your-features/

#discord #privacy #ageverification #matrix #blog

When this happens in March, Discord will die instantly. Remember the data breach in September? Discord has the nerve to implement something dangerous that will put millions of users at risk, How do you bypass Discord's age verification? Delete it and switch to an alternative platform, like Teamspeak or Matrix, History must not repeat itself, and it must never happen again. Share the tag #boycottdiscord on social media. Let's protect our privacy. #discord #ageverification #privacymatters #privacy

Each time a new privacy-invasive
feature like facial scanning is implemented, if people in majority comply and accept to use it, it will soon become normality, and other options will be marginalized or even removed entirely.

If each time a new privacy-invasive
feature is implemented people opted to refuse it, it would soon be discontinued.

Each individual opposition to privacy-invasive features matters.

It is an act of self-protection but,
perhaps even more importantly,
it is also an act of protest.

A protest against the normalization of mass surveillance and the loss of privacy rights.

The fact that there are other cameras around doesn't mean that more cameras or additional scanning is not making things even worse.

If we do not refuse,
if we do not fight for our privacy rights,
we will lose them all.

#Privacy #MassSurveillance #AgeVerification #FacialRecognition #HumanRights #DigitalRights

Time to dust off those early 2000s forums!

"Discord announced on Monday that it’s rolling out age verification on its platform globally starting next month, when it will automatically set all users’ accounts to a “teen-appropriate” experience unless they demonstrate that they’re adults."

https://www.theverge.com/tech/875309/discord-age-verification-global-roll-out

#news #discord #AgeVerification #privacy

I wish I could force every legislator
in favor of Age Verification to watch this amazing talk by Carissa Véliz,

So that they understand the dangers
of the surveillance infrastructure they are currently putting in place.

You should watch it too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSPRouBvgFE

#Privacy #Democracy #HumanRights #AgeVerification #MassSurveillance #Fascism

Following the Australian precedence, the UK, France, and Spain want age checks for social media.

😡But age verification and ID checks destroy everyone's #privacy. 😡

Learn what countries are planning a social media ban for teens and fight #AgeVerification 💪
👉https://tuta.com/blog/age-verification-kills-anonymity

Alt...

16 crossed out

Alt...

Flags: Australia (large), France, Uk, Spain

You can refuse to provide official ID or biometric data for social media accounts requiring age verification.

Actually, I bet if everyone did refuse, and let their account dormant for a couple of weeks, you would suddenly see American Big Tech transforming into the fiercest defender of your privacy rights, using their powerful network of lobbyists to fight these invasive government regulations.

They need you more than you need them.
Force them to work for your rights.
Do not comply.

#Privacy #AgeVerification #Biometrics #AusPol #USpol

Canadians!

Bill S-209 is due for a section by section consideration in the Senate this Thursday (i.e. the equivalent of a full committee markup to Americans)!

Reminder: This bill would mandate privacy invasive Age Verification as well as give the Canadian government the ability to block ANY website that isn't compliant (search engines, Wikipedia, social media, etc.), not just "commercial pornographic websites" like the bill claims! One of the bills' sponsors essentially admitted this!

If this bill passes, it would be massively chilling to privacy and free speech in Canada! The Canadian government would control what you're allowed to see!

VPNs are, at best, a temporary solution here.

Call your Senators and House of Commons Representatives ASAP!

#Privacy #FreeSpeech #Censorship #DigitalRights #Internet #SocialMedia #Canada #AgeVerification #BillS209

Sharing this Proton article with their 2026 internet predictions 📱

🔍 EU eyes permanent "voluntary" message scanning
🪪 Global age verification laws risk ID breaches
⚠️ VPN blocks expand in democracies as rogue AI agents loom

@protonprivacy

🔗 https://proton.me/blog/2026-internet-predictions

#TechNews #Privacy #VPN #AI #Surveillance #Encryption #Regulation #Data #Security #DigitalRights #Cybersecurity #UserRights #BigTech #InternetFreedom #AgeVerification #Proton #ProtonMail #EU #Europe #ChatControl #VPN #ID