UK Users Bypass Discords Age Verification Using Death Strandings Character Photo Mode

Users in the UK have found a way to circumvent Discord’s age verification process by using a selfie of the character Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding, portrayed by Norman Reedus. This comes as the Online Safety Act has taken effect, mandating online services to verify users’ ages for access to adult content.

The technology employed by Discord, known as K-id, can confirm users’ ages through facial scans or ID verification. The platform requires age confirmation to remove blurring from images, access 18+ channels, and unlock additional features.

Discord claims that it does not store the selfies or identification documents after a user’s age is verified.

In Death Stranding’s photo mode, players can manipulate the character’s mouth, a requirement for one of Discord’s verification checks. A PC Gamer author successfully completed the verification in half a minute, and the service was unfazed by the protagonist’s otter hat.

Earlier this spring, Discord began enforcing age verification for some users in the UK. The app prompts users to scan their faces using a computer webcam or smartphone, or they can provide a scanned ID instead.

In mid-July, Reddit also implemented age verification in the UK, restricting access to adult content without confirming a user’s age.