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'''Discord''' is a proprietary VoIP and instant-messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel, Inc.) co-founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Guadalupe |date=3 May 2018 |title=There Are 2.6 Billion Online Gamers in the World. This Startup Just May Connect Them All |url=https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503131556/https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Inc.}}</ref> Launched in 2015, the service has grown to over 150 million monthly active users as of 2025. While initially marketed toward PC gamers, Discord has expanded to multiple platforms and serving various communities and use cases, for example, education.<ref name="about-company">{{Cite web |date=15 Apr 2024 |title=About Discord <nowiki>|</nowiki> Our Mission and Values |url=https://discord.com/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608013037/https://discord.com/company |archive-date=8 Jun 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Discord}}</ref>
{{ProductPage
|infobox_logo=Discord.svg


|infobox_1_key=Founded
In April 2025, Humam Sakhnini (formerly King, Activision Blizzard) replaced Jason Citron as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discord Appoints Humam Sakhnini as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-appoints-new-ceo-humam-sakhnini}}</ref> {{InfoboxCompany
|infobox_1_value=2015
| Name = Discord Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Software
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg
}}


|infobox_2_key=Company Type
==Consumer Impact Summary==
|infobox_2_value=Private


|infobox_3_key=Industry
===Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>===
|infobox_3_value=Software
Mentioned within the '''Discord TOS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref><ref name="community-guidelines2">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
*Collects extensive user data including messages, voice communications, and server participation.
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content.
*Deleted messages are stored for undefined periods.
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with undefined retention periods.
*Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement".
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.
*Opt-out behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information for an undetermined amount of time, flags any user who has ever signed in with an EU IP address for inclusion within DSA transparency reports
*Sends a web request when any UI element is clicked & when typing
*Phone number randomly required, will lock account until a phone number is added regardless of account age or recent activity. Account will be automatically locked if phone number is removed


|infobox_4_key=Official Website
===Freedom===
|infobox_4_value=https://discord.com
Mentioned within the '''Discord TOS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3" />
*Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started 15 May 2024).
*Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content.
*Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes.
*Can terminate accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion.


|description='''Discord''' is a proprietary VoIP and instant-messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel, Inc.) co-founded by [[Jason Citron]] and [[Stanislav Vishnevskiy]].<ref>Gonzalez, Guadalupe (May 3, 2018). [https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html "There Are 2.6 Billion Online Gamers in the World. This Startup Just May Connect Them All"]. ''inc.com''. Retrieved January 23, 2025.</ref> 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.<ref name="about-company">[https://discord.com/company/ "About Discord | Our Mission and Values"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.
*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.
*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.
*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.


|summary_privacy_1=Collects extensive user data including messages, voice communications, and server participation.<ref name="privacy-policy">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
===Transparency===
|summary_privacy_2=Claims broad rights to user-generated content through terms of service.<ref name="terms-of-service">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" />
|summary_privacy_3=May store deleted messages for undefined periods.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.
|summary_privacy_4=Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with unclear retention periods.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Vague about specific data retention time frames.
|summary_privacy_5=Processes user content for safety features and platform improvement.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BBB - Discord, Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699 |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=[[Better Business Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Trustpilot - Discord |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/discord.com |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Trustpilot}}</ref>
|summary_privacy_6=Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
**In certain cases, the offending content is not shown to the user, nor any metadata, filenames, timestamps or even the originating channel
|summary_privacy_7=Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
**No limits or restrictions on the age of content (e.g users can be suspended due to something sent 1500 days ago)
|summary_privacy_8=Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
 
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.
|summary_freedom_1=Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started May 15, 2024).<ref name="terms-of-service" />
*No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement.
|summary_freedom_2=Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
==Consumer-protection incidents==
|summary_freedom_3=Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
===FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===
|summary_freedom_4=Can terminate accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data-collection practices as part of a broader investigation into social-media platforms.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite class="citation web cs1">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services"] <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. ''Federal Trade Commission''. 11 Sep 2024. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919133855/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf Archived] <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> from the original on 19 Sep 2024<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 Jul</span> 2025</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Federal+Trade+Commission&rft.atitle=A+Look+Behind+the+Screens%3A+Examining+the+Data+Practices+of+Social+Media+and+Video+Streaming+Services&rft.date=2024-09-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fftc_gov%2Fpdf%2FSocial-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></span></ref>
|summary_freedom_5=No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_freedom_6=Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_freedom_7=Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
|summary_freedom_8=Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
 
|summary_transparency_1=Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_2=Vague about specific data retention time frames.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_3=Privacy policy written in relatively clear language compared to industry standards.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_4=Provides clear community guidelines with defined enforcement procedures.<ref name="community-guidelines">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
|summary_transparency_5=Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.<ref name="community-guidelines" />
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency<ref name="community-guidelines" />
|summary_transparency_6=Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
|summary_transparency_7=No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
 
|incidents_1_title=FTC data collection investigation
|incidents_1_date=Sep. 2024
|incidents_1_text=In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data-collection practices as part of a broader investigation into social-media platforms.<ref>[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf "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.</ref>


The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
Line 53: Line 56:
*Server membership and activity
*Server membership and activity
*Device and location information
*Device and location information
Particular concern was raised about:
Particular concern was raised about:
*Collection of data from users under 13
*Collection of data from users under 13
*Handling of minor user information
*Handling of minor user information
*Inadequate age-verification systems
*Inadequate age-verification systems
The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
*Identity-theft exposure
*Identity-theft exposure
Line 65: Line 66:
*Mental health and emotional impact
*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.<ref>Tolentino, Daysia (September 19, 2024). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'"]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
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.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFTolentino2024" class="citation web cs1">Tolentino, Daysia (19 Sep 2024). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919171049/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 Archived] from the original on 19 Sep 2024<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 Jul</span> 2025</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Social+media+companies+engaged+in+%27vast+surveillance%2C%27+FTC+finds%2C+calling+status+quo+%27unacceptable%27&rft.date=2024-09-19&rft.aulast=Tolentino&rft.aufirst=Daysia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsecurity%2Fsocial-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></span></ref>


|incidents_2_title=Introduction of forced arbitration
===Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)===
|incidents_2_date=Mar. 2024
In March 2024, Discord users were notified via email that [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] would be added to the [[Terms of Service|terms of service]] effective 15 April 2024. Users could opt out by sending an 'opt-out notice' to [email protected] within the thirty days preceding 15 April 2024, or registration of their first account.'''<ref name="terms-of-service3" />'''
|incidents_2_text=In March 2024, Discord users were notified via email that [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] would be added to the [[Terms of Service|terms of service]] on April 15, 2024. Users could opt out by sending an 'opt-out notice' to [email protected] within 30 days of April 15, 2024 or registration of their first account.<ref name="terms-of-service" />


|incidents_3_title=Child safety concerns
===Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)===
|incidents_3_date=Jun. 2023
An [[wikipedia:NBC News|NBC News]] investigation in June 2023<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFGoggin2023" class="citation web cs1">Goggin, Ben (21 Jun 2023). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230621152318/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 Archived] from the original on 21 Jun 2023<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 Jul</span> 2025</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Child+predators+are+using+Discord%2C+a+popular+app+among+teens%2C+for+sextortion+and+abductions&rft.date=2023-06-21&rft.aulast=Goggin&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsocial-media%2Fdiscord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></span></ref> uncovered widespread child-safety issues on Discord, revealing systemic problems with the platform's user protection measures.
|incidents_3_text=An [[NBC News]] investigation in June 2023<ref>Goggin, Ben (June 21, 2023). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions"]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref> uncovered widespread child-safety issues on Discord, revealing systematic problems with the platform's user protection measures.


Investigators identified 35 separate cases 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.
Investigators identified 35 separate cases 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.
}}
 
===Irresponsible moderation practices===
{{Main|Discord's irresponsible moderation}}
[[File:Discord Vague Infringement example.png|thumb|An example of how Discord handles its moderation from the perspective of a user.]]
Reported countlessly by users on the BBB<ref name=":0" />, Trustpilot,<ref name=":1" /> and a dedicated subreddit<ref>{{Cite web |title=/r/BannedFromDiscord |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/BannedFromDiscord/}}</ref> users have complained about how Discord's moderation is extremely vague. One such user reported their account being banned to the BBB,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mir |first=Zain |date=Jul 23, 2025 |title=BBB Complaint |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699/complaints?page=2#1116_918699_23643523 |access-date=Aug 1, 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref> with an automated system handling the entire process replying only with templates, without having a human involved in the appeal process.
 
==References==
<references />
 
[[Category:Discord]]
[[Category:Discord]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/Discord"