Discord is testing AI-powered age verification using a selfie and driver's license, partnering with Yoti, a digital identity company. This system aims to verify user age without storing government ID information on Discord's servers. While initially focused on ensuring compliance with age-restricted content, like servers designated 18+, this move signifies a potential broader shift in online age verification moving away from traditional methods and towards AI-powered solutions for a more streamlined and potentially privacy-preserving approach.
EFF warns that age verification laws, ostensibly designed to restrict access to adult content, pose a serious threat to online privacy. While initially targeting pornography sites, these laws are expanding to encompass broader online activities, such as accessing skincare products, potentially requiring users to upload government IDs to third-party verification services. This creates a massive database of sensitive personal information vulnerable to breaches, government surveillance, and misuse by private companies, effectively turning age verification into a backdoor for widespread online monitoring. The EFF argues that these laws are overbroad, ineffective at their stated goals, and disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
HN commenters express concerns about the slippery slope of age verification laws, starting with porn and potentially expanding to other online content and even everyday purchases. They argue that these laws normalize widespread surveillance and data collection, creating honeypots for hackers and potentially enabling government abuse. Several highlight the ineffectiveness of age gates, pointing to easy bypass methods and the likelihood of children accessing restricted content through other means. The chilling effect on free speech and the potential for discriminatory enforcement are also raised, with some commenters drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes. Some suggest focusing on better education and parental controls rather than restrictive legislation. The technical feasibility and privacy implications of various verification methods are debated, with skepticism towards relying on government IDs or private companies.
Summary of Comments ( 356 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43715884
Hacker News users discussed the privacy implications of Discord's new age verification system using Yoti's face scanning technology. Several commenters expressed concerns about the potential for misuse and abuse of the collected biometric data, questioning Yoti's claims of data minimization and security. Some suggested alternative methods like credit card verification or government IDs, while others debated the efficacy and necessity of age verification online. The discussion also touched upon the broader trend of increased online surveillance and the potential for this technology to be adopted by other platforms. Some commenters highlighted the "slippery slope" argument, fearing this is just the beginning of widespread biometric data collection. Several users criticized Discord's lack of transparency and communication with its users regarding this change.
The Hacker News post "Discord's face scanning age checks 'start of a bigger shift'" has generated several comments discussing the implications of Discord's new age verification system, which uses Yoti's facial analysis technology. Users express a range of concerns and opinions.
A prominent sentiment is skepticism and apprehension regarding privacy. Several commenters question the security and potential misuse of biometric data collected through the system. They worry about the creation of large datasets of facial scans vulnerable to breaches or exploitation by governments or corporations. The lack of transparency about how Yoti handles and stores this data fuels these concerns. Some also express discomfort with the idea of a third-party company, Yoti, having access to such sensitive information.
Several users discuss the accuracy and potential biases of facial recognition technology. They point out that such systems have historically exhibited biases based on factors like race and gender, raising concerns about unfair or discriminatory outcomes for certain user groups. Commenters also speculate on the potential for circumvention by minors using fake IDs or manipulating the system.
The discussion also touches on the broader implications of age verification and content moderation online. Some commenters argue that age verification measures, while potentially well-intentioned, could erode online privacy and freedom of expression. Others raise concerns about the slippery slope, fearing that such technologies could be used for more intrusive forms of surveillance or control in the future.
Some commenters offer alternative approaches to age verification, suggesting methods that don't rely on facial recognition, such as credit card verification or government-issued IDs. However, these alternatives are also met with counterarguments regarding their own limitations and privacy implications.
Finally, a few comments specifically criticize Discord for implementing this system, accusing the platform of succumbing to pressure from regulators or prioritizing perceived safety over user privacy. There is a general feeling among some commenters that this move represents a worrying trend towards increased surveillance and control in online spaces.