Discord, a popular chatting app among gamers, has experienced a surge in growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the ability to create invite-only “servers,” users can communicate over text, voice, or video chats.
The app is largely used by young males, with nearly half of its Android app users between the ages of 18 and 24.
Expanding Beyond Gaming
Discord has recently been pitching itself as a gateway to artificial intelligence tools and has made efforts to expand beyond gaming by purchasing another teen-focused social app called Gas. The acquisition will help Discord diversify its offerings and provide more social media features for its users.
However, the app has been embroiled in controversy due to its association with illegal activities. Discord is cooperating with law enforcement in an investigation into the leak of classified documents about the war in Ukraine, which is believed to have started on the site. The company has been involved in other investigations, such as the sharing of detailed plans for a mass shooting on a private, invite-only server.
Working with Law Enforcement
Since 2020, Discord has been a member of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism. This forum, which includes tech giants such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter, aims to prevent the spread of extremist content online. Discord’s involvement demonstrates the company’s commitment to tackling illegal activity on its platform.
In a recent statement, Discord emphasized its commitment to working with law enforcement to address illegal activity on its platform. The company does not tolerate illegal activity of any kind on its platform and takes immediate action to investigate and remove any violating content or users.
The app has taken a proactive approach to monitoring its servers and identifying potentially illegal activity. Discord uses a combination of automated and human moderation to identify and remove illegal content. The company has also established a Trust & Safety team to investigate and respond to reports of illegal activity.
Privacy Concerns
Despite Discord’s efforts to combat illegal activity on its platform, some users have raised concerns about privacy. The app has been criticized for collecting user data and sharing it with third-party advertisers. Discord has responded to these concerns by providing users with more control over their data and allowing them to opt-out of targeted advertising.
Overall, Discord’s recent efforts to expand beyond gaming and combat illegal activity on its platform demonstrate the company’s commitment to providing a safe and diverse online community. While privacy concerns remain, the app’s popularity and unique features make it a valuable tool for gamers and social media users alike.
