Discord cuts ties with Peter Thiel-backed verification software

13 hours ago

Discord's identity verification software, Persona Identities, had frontend code accessible on the open internet and government servers.
Researchers found nearly 2,500 accessible files on a U.S. government-authorized endpoint, revealing facial recognition checks and screening against politically exposed persons lists.
Persona performs 269 distinct verification checks, including screening for adverse media, and assigns risk and similarity scores to user information.
Discord announced it is cutting ties with Persona, which continues to provide age verification services for OpenAI, Lime, and Roblox.
Discord's partnership with Persona lasted less than a month, with user information stored for up to seven days before deletion.
Discord faced backlash for defaulting accounts to teen-safety settings and requiring age verification via Persona, later clarifying it remains optional for most users.
Persona CEO Rick Song stated the exposed files were publicly accessible frontend information, not a major vulnerability.
Song denied ties to Palantir, ICE, or the government, but confirmed Persona is undergoing FedRAMP authorization for workforce security.
Persona offers KYC and AML solutions but does not link facial biometrics to financial records or law enforcement databases.
Song faced criticism for lacking personally identifiable information online, defending the importance of privacy.

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