Peter Todd Critiques Discord’s Age Verification
In a recent tweet, notable Bitcoin developer Peter Todd criticized Discord’s decision to impose more rigorous age verification standards, urging the platform to embrace Bitcoin instead of complying with governmental demands for user identification. This response surfaced amidst significant dissatisfaction from users concerning Discord’s new initiative called “Global Age Assurance.”
Concerns Over User Privacy
Todd expressed his views on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating:
“Their hand is forced. Nope. The internet is global. Discord doesn’t have to do anything. Let the UK and Australia block them if needed.”
His remarks highlight a belief that Discord could utilize Bitcoin technology to circumvent the conventional financial systems’ identity checks, which often require users to disclose personal information related to age and identity.
Discord’s Global Age Assurance Initiative
Discord recently outlined its plans for implementing global age assurance measures to align with upcoming regulations in countries like the UK, Australia, and Brazil. This initiative sparked anxiety among users, as there are persistent rumors suggesting that the platform might enforce face scans and government-issued identification for all its members. Nevertheless, Discord reassured its community that over 90% of its users will likely not need to go through age verification.
Historical Hesitance Towards Cryptocurrency
The backdrop to this controversy includes Discord’s historical hesitance to integrate cryptocurrency into its payment options. Despite considerable interest, the platform has never fully adopted Bitcoin for transactions related to services such as Nitro subscriptions or Server Boosts. In late 2021, the company’s CEO, Jason Citron, teased a feature showing Discord’s potential connection with cryptocurrency wallets, like MetaMask and WalletConnect. However, after a wave of user backlash resulting in threats to cancel subscriptions, Discord swiftly decided to abandon those plans.
Conclusion
In summary, as Discord navigates the complexities of regulatory compliance, voices like Peter Todd’s are advocating for innovative solutions that eschew traditional identification methods, hinting at Bitcoin’s potential role in reshaping digital engagement and privacy for users around the world.
