PSA: Don't base your business around Discord.7yr account banned for posting ASNs

Article summary

A user's 7-year-old Discord account was banned without warning for posting a list of Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), which were mistakenly identified as personal information. The user claims this is not the first issue they've had with Discord, citing a previous incident where their server was threatened with deletion. The user warns others against basing their business on Discord due to the risk of arbitrary moderation. The incident highlights the importance of considering platform risk when building a business.

Main themes

• platform risk
• Discord moderation
• business strategy
• contractual agreements
• technical expertise
• alternative platforms
• gaming vs business use
• backup planning

What commenters say

• Basing a business on Discord is risky due to the platform's arbitrary moderation and lack of contractual agreements with businesses.
• Discord's moderation team may not have the necessary technical expertise to handle complex issues, leading to incorrect decisions.
• Using Discord as a central support or distribution channel can be problematic, and businesses should consider alternative platforms or negotiate contractual agreements.
• Some companies have successfully built their businesses on Discord, but this may not be a viable long-term strategy due to the platform's limitations and risks.
• Platform risk is a real concern for businesses, and relying on a single platform like Discord can be detrimental to a company's survival.
• Discord's origins in gaming and non-paid user base may make it less suitable for business use compared to other platforms like AWS or Microsoft.
• Having a contractual agreement with Discord may not be a common practice, but it could provide businesses with more protection and stability.
• The incident highlights the need for businesses to have a backup plan and consider alternative platforms to mitigate the risk of platform dependence.