Discord's face scanning age checks 'start of a bigger shift'

Discord is testing face scanning to verify some users' ages in the UK and Australia.
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The UK's online safety laws mean platforms with adult content will need to have "robust" age verification in place by July.

And social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC "this isn't a one-off - it's the start of a bigger shift".

"Regulators want real proof, and facial recognition might be the fastest route there," he said.

But campaigners have said these types of checks are ineffective and could lead to privacy issues.

"Age assurance is becoming the new seatbelt for the internet," said Mr Navarra.

"Will it become the norm in the UK? Honestly, yes, probably."

He said he believed the incoming changes in online safety laws mean online platforms would beef up their age verification processes.

"The era of 'click here to confirm you're 13' is dead," he said.
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