Discord cuts ties with identity verification software, Persona (fortune.com)

Article summary

Discord has cut ties with identity verification software Persona after its code was found on a Google Cloud endpoint, revealing that Persona conducted facial recognition checks and screened users against lists of politically exposed persons. The partnership between Discord and Persona had already dissolved before the discovery, and only a small number of users were part of the test. Discord is continuing to work on age verification for its platform, but will not be using Persona. The incident has raised concerns about user privacy and data security.

Main themes

• Data privacy
• Age verification
• Surveillance
• LGBTQ rights
• End-to-end encryption
• Corporate accountability
• User trust

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that the US government's surveillance efforts are a long-standing issue and not a new revelation.
• There is a coordinated effort to strip queer people of their rights, and age verification is a part of this plan.
• Others argue that the opposition to age verification is not a unified movement, but rather a collection of individuals with different motivations.
• The use of end-to-end encrypted platforms is seen as a potential solution to concerns about data privacy and security.
• Some users have lost trust in Discord due to the company's handling of user data and its statements about data storage.
• The discovery of Persona's code has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of third-party vendors for age verification.
• The issue of age verification is complex and multifaceted, with different stakeholders having different opinions on its implementation and implications.