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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 primarily marketed toward gamers, Discord has expanded to serve various communities and use cases.<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><!-- Will need to re-add product box, just temp removed to see if this fixes the page - JamesTDG -->
'''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 primarily marketed toward gamers, Discord has expanded to serve various communities and use cases.<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> {{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Discord Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Software
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg
}}


==Consumer impact==
==Consumer Impact Summary==
====Privacy====
 
=== Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref> ===
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.
*Collects extensive user data including messages, voice communications, and server participation.
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content through terms of service.
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content.
*May store deleted messages for undefined periods.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Deleted messages are stored for undefined periods.
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with unclear retention periods.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with undefined retention periods.
*Processes user content for safety features and platform improvement.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement".
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.
*Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information.
 
===Freedom===
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.


=== Freedom ===
*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.
*Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started 15 May 2024).<ref name="terms-of-service" />
*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.
*Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.
*Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.
*Can terminate accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.<ref name="terms-of-service" />
*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.<ref name="terms-of-service" />


=== Transparency ===
===Transparency===
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" />
*Vague about specific data retention time frames.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.
*Privacy policy written in relatively clear language compared to industry standards.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Vague about specific data retention time frames.
*Provides clear community guidelines with defined enforcement procedures.
*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>
*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.<ref name="community-guidelines" />
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.<ref name="community-guidelines" />
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement.
*No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement.<ref name="privacy-policy" />
==Consumer-protection incidents==
==Consumer-protection incidents==
===FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===
===FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===
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===Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)===
===Introduction of forced arbitration (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-service" />
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" />'''


===Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)===
===Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)===
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===Irresponsible moderation practices===
===Irresponsible moderation practices===
{{Main|Discord's irresponsible moderation}}
{{Main|Discord's irresponsible moderation}}
Reported countlessly by users on the BBB and Trustpilot, 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, without having a human involved in the appeal process.
[[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" /> and Trustpilot,<ref name=":1" /> 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, without having a human involved in the appeal process.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 05:41, 3 August 2025

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.[1] 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.[2]

Discord
Basic information
Founded 2015
Legal structure Private
Industry Software
Official website https://discord.com


Consumer Impact Summary[edit | edit source]

Privacy[3][edit | edit source]

Mentioned within the Discord TOS[3] and Privacy Policy:[4][5]

  • 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.
  • Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.
  • Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information.

Freedom[edit | edit source]

Mentioned within the Discord TOS[3] and Privacy Policy:[4]

  • Mandatory binding arbitration with 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.
  • 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.

Transparency[edit | edit source]

Mentioned within the Discord Privacy Policy[4] and Community Guidelines:[5]

  • Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.
  • Vague about specific data retention time frames.
  • Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.[6][7]
  • Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.[6][7]
  • Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.
  • No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement.

Consumer-protection incidents[edit | edit source]

FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)[edit | edit source]

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.[8]

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.[9]

Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)[edit | edit source]

In March 2024, Discord users were notified via email that forced arbitration would be added to the 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.[3]

Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)[edit | edit source]

An NBC News investigation in June 2023[10] uncovered widespread child-safety issues on Discord, revealing systemic 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.

Irresponsible moderation practices[edit | edit source]

Main article: Discord's irresponsible moderation
An example of how Discord handles its moderation from the perspective of a user.

Reported countlessly by users on the BBB[6] and Trustpilot,[7] users have complained about how Discord's moderation is extremely vague. One such user reported their account being banned to the BBB,[11] with an automated system handling the entire process, without having a human involved in the appeal process.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Gonzalez, Guadalupe (3 May 2018). "There Are 2.6 Billion Online Gamers in the World. This Startup Just May Connect Them All". Inc. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.
  2. ↑ "About Discord | Our Mission and Values". Discord. 15 Apr 2024. Archived from the original on 8 Jun 2025. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Discord's Terms of Service". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Discord Privacy Policy". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Discord Community Guidelines". April 15, 2024. Discord. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "BBB - Discord, Inc". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved Aug 2, 2025.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Trustpilot - Discord". Trustpilot. Retrieved Aug 2, 2025.
  8. ↑ "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services" (PDF). Federal Trade Commission. 11 Sep 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.
  9. ↑ Tolentino, Daysia (19 Sep 2024). "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'". NBC News. Archived from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.
  10. ↑ Goggin, Ben (21 Jun 2023). "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions". NBC News. Archived from the original on 21 Jun 2023. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.
  11. ↑ Mir, Zain (Jul 23, 2025). "BBB Complaint". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved Aug 1, 2025.
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