Discord: Difference between revisions - Consumer_Action

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|infobox_1_key=Founded

|infobox_1_value=~~2025~~

|infobox_1_value=2015

|infobox_2_key=Company Type

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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.

}}

==Consumer Impact Summary==

====Privacy====

*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>

*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>

*May store deleted messages for undefined periods<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with unclear retention periods<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Processes user content for safety features and platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information<ref name="privacy-policy" />

====Freedom====

*Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started May 15, 2024)<ref name="terms-of-service" />

*Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content<ref name="terms-of-service" />

*Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes<ref name="terms-of-service" />

*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====

*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Vague about specific data retention time frames<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*Privacy policy written in relatively clear language compared to industry standards<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*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>

*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions<ref name="community-guidelines" />

*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency<ref name="community-guidelines" />

*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" />

*No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy" />

==Consumer Protection Incidents==

<h4>FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)</h4>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:

*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.<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><h4>Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)</h4>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" /><h4>Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)</h4>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.

==References==

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |infobox_1_key=Founded
-|infobox_1_value=2025
+|infobox_1_value=2015
 |infobox_2_key=Company Type
@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 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.
 }}
+==Consumer Impact Summary==
+<span></span>
+====Privacy====
+<span></span>
+*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><br />
+*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><br />
+*May store deleted messages for undefined periods<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with unclear retention periods<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Processes user content for safety features and platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Uses behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+<span></span>
+====Freedom====
+<span></span>
+*Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started May 15, 2024)<ref name="terms-of-service" /><br />
+*Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content<ref name="terms-of-service" /><br />
+*Users must accept broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes<ref name="terms-of-service" /><br />
+*Can terminate accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion<ref name="terms-of-service" /><br />
+*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned<ref name="terms-of-service" /><br />
+*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions<ref name="terms-of-service" /><br />
+<span></span>
+====Transparency====
+<span></span>
+*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Vague about specific data retention time frames<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*Privacy policy written in relatively clear language compared to industry standards<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*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><br />
+*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions<ref name="community-guidelines" />
+*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency<ref name="community-guidelines" /><br />
+*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+*No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy" /><br />
+<span></span>
+==Consumer Protection Incidents==
+<span></span><h4>FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)</h4>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>
+<span></span>
+The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
+<span></span>
+*Message content and metadata
+*Voice-chat participation
+*Server membership and activity
+*Device and location information
+<span></span>
+Particular concern was raised about:
+<span></span>
+*Collection of data from users under 13
+*Handling of minor user information
+*Inadequate age-verification systems
+<span></span>
+The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
+<span></span>
+*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.<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><h4>Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)</h4>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" /><h4>Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)</h4>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.
+<span></span>
+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.
+<span></span>
+==References==
+<span></span><references />