How k-ID Is Powering Discord’s UK Online Safety Act Compliance
k-ID is a startup transforming how kids & teens access age-appropriate game experiences by making it easy for developers to comply with global regulations.
Discord is rolling out sweeping changes for users in the UK–and behind the scenes, startup k-ID is quietly powering one of the most critical parts: age verification.
To comply with the UK’s new Online Safety Act (OSA), Discord is introducing new default safety settings for all UK users. That includes stricter content filters, privacy updates, and—for users who want to adjust those settings—a new process to verify they are 18 or older. Instead of relying solely on ID uploads, Discord is offering facial age estimation as an alternative, in partnership with k-ID.
Privacy-First Verification, Built by k-ID
Founded by Kieran Donovan and Jeff Wu, k-ID has developed a verification process designed to protect user privacy at every step. Video selfies used for facial age estimation never leave the device. If users choose to upload a document instead, it’s deleted once their age group is confirmed. Neither Discord nor k-ID stores personal identity documents long-term.
Once verified, users can unlock access to age-restricted features like unblurring sensitive content, joining certain channels, and adjusting DM settings. Verification status is private, and users can always re-verify if needed.
Why It Matters
Many teens don’t have an official ID, and Discord’s collaboration with k-ID offers a more accessible—and privacy-respecting—path to compliance. This move supports Discord’s broader goal of creating age-appropriate experiences not just in the UK, but globally.
By embedding thoughtful, flexible verification directly into its platform, Discord is setting a new standard for how platforms can meet evolving safety regulations without compromising user trust—and k-ID is playing a central role in making that possible.
Read more on Discord
Listen to Kieran Donovan with Chris Bergman on the Venture Everywhere podcast: Safe k-IDs, Happy Parents. Now on Apple & Spotify and check out all our past episodes here!
