Discord

2025-01-17T05:14:41Z

2603:8081:16F0:C5E0:4C2C:9466:BC09:37AC: Added arbitration part

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = Discord
| Release Year = 2015
| Product Type = Messaging/VoIP Platform
| In Production = Yes
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg|thumb|The logo for Discord
}}
Discord is a proprietary VoIP and instant messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel). 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>

== Consumer Protection Profile ==

==== Privacy ====
'''Status:''' Significant Concerns
* 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>
* 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"/>
* May store deleted messages for undefined periods<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* 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>

==== Transparency ====
'''Status:''' Moderate Concerns
* 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"/>
* Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Server ban appeals process lacks transparency<ref name="community-guidelines"/>
* Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* Vague about specific data retention timeframes<ref name="privacy-policy"/>
* No clear disclosure of how content is used for platform improvement<ref name="privacy-policy"/>

==== Freedom ====
'''Status:''' Significant Concerns
* Mandatory binding arbitration with class action waiver for U.S. users<ref name="terms-of-service"/> (Users could opt out until May 15 2024 via email<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"/>
* Users grant perpetual, transferable license to their content<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"/>

== Forced Arbitration ==
Forced arbitration was added to discord's Terms of Service on April 15 2024. This was notified to users via an email on March 30th 2024. Users could opt out of this by sending an email to opt-out notice to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com until May 15 2024. There is no longer a way to opt out of this as of January 16 2025.

== Consumer Protection Incidents ==

==== FTC Data Collection Investigation (Sep. 2024) ====
In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] 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>

==== Child Safety Concerns (Jun. 2023) ====
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.

35 separate cases were identified 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.

Discord stated they had increased safety measures, including:
* Enhanced age verification systems
* Improved automated detection tools
* Increased moderation staff

Despite these measures, investigations showed continuing vulnerabilities in Discord's youth protection systems.<ref>Winston, Ali (March 15, 2024). [https://web.archive.org/web/20250101094320/https://www.wired.com/story/764-com-child-predator-network/ "There Are Dark Corners of the Internet. Then There's 764"]. ''WIRED''. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>

==== Fined for GDPR Violations (Nov. 2022) ====
In November 2022, France's privacy regulator [[CNIL]] imposed an €800,000 fine on Discord for multiple GDPR violations<ref>Brunoli, Joseph (November 18, 2022). [https://www.techzine.eu/news/privacy-compliance/94722/france-fines-discord-e800000-for-privacy-infractions/ "France fines Discord €800,000 for privacy infractions"]. ''Techzine Europe''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref> that demonstrated systematic privacy protection failures:
* Background Process Violation: The application continued running in the background after users attempted to close it, collecting data without user awareness or consent
* Voice Chat Privacy Issue: The platform failed to properly disconnect users from voice chats after session termination, potentially exposing private communications
* Security Standards Violation: Discord allowed users to create passwords with as few as six characters, falling below accepted security standards for protecting user accounts
* Data Protection Failures: The investigation revealed broader systematic failures in Discord's approach to user privacy protection and data handling

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Product Line]][[Category:Product]][[Category:Companies]]

Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Discord