Discord: Difference between revisions

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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>~~~~

'''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.

*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==

===FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===

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===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)===

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===Irresponsible moderation practices===

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==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''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.
-*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==
 ===FTC data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===
@@ Line 53: / Line 63: @@
 ===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)===
@@ Line 62: / Line 72: @@
 ===Irresponsible moderation practices===
 {{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==