I’m torn. On one hand, I’m all for 18+ communities actually being 18+. I want age controls at the entrance. As an adult, I don't like the idea of making crude jokes or mature comments only to realize a 13-year-old is reading them. I remember a streamer I followed who was very clear about under-16s; she addressed them directly regarding certain dialogues and was very careful. I like the idea of "safe places" being protected for everyone.

But the ID verification process itself? That’s where I have a problem.

Outsourcing this is dangerous. In the real world, not just anyone can check your ID. In the street or at the airport, it’s strictly regulated. Even airline desk staff aren't technically qualified to determine if an ID is real or fake, and they can't refuse a damaged ID. Only very specific roles have the legal power to "control" identity. Even a security guard doesn’t have that right.

So why should it be different over HTTPS?

In a shop, the clerk doesn’t "control" your ID—they just verify that the birth date matches and the photo looks like you. There’s a huge legal difference. In Geneva, digital integrity is now part of the law (L12945 https://ge.ch/grandconseil/data/loisvotee/L12945.pdf ), and in France, identity checks are strictly framed to avoid discrimination ( https://tinyurl.com/386z5vjv ).

How can we guarantee security here? From the transmission to the verification to the supposed destruction of the digital copy? To me, this is a sovereign power. The State should be the guarantor, and companies should rely on a State-provided service.

I really struggle with the idea of Discord holding a piece of my identity, making a decision on it, and then claiming to "destroy" it.

#Discord #Privacy #Geneva #DigitalIntegrity #DataProtection #AgeVerification