A cyber-attack targeting a third-party age-verification provider may have exposed personal information, partial credit card details, and customer support messages of thousands of Discord users, though the platform itself was not breached. Authorities are investigating, and all affected users have been notified.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Approximately 70,000 Discord users’ ID photos may have been exposed.
- The breach involved a third-party age-verification provider, not Discord’s own systems.
- Potentially leaked data includes:
- Personal information (e.g., full name, date of birth)
- Partial credit card information
- Messages exchanged with Discord customer support agents
No full credit card details, passwords, or other private user activity were exposed.
Discord has revoked the vendor’s system access and is working with law enforcement agencies.
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What Happened
Discord allows users to upload official ID photos to verify their age, especially to access age-restricted servers. Hackers targeted a third-party company assisting in this process. While this led to potential exposure of sensitive information, Discord emphasized that its own platform was not compromised.
A representative from Zendesk, the customer service software provider for Discord, confirmed that its systems were secure and no vulnerability in their platform caused the breach.
Addressing Misinformation
Some online claims suggested the breach was larger than reported. Discord has denied these claims, calling them part of an attempt to extort payment. The company clarified that this was not a ransomware attack.
“We will not reward those responsible for their illegal actions,” a Discord spokesperson said.
Experts note that personal data, such as full names and government-issued ID numbers, has a high value on the black market because, unlike credit cards, it remains unchanged over time.
Why This Matters
The breach highlights the risks associated with third-party service providers handling sensitive user information.
Discord previously strengthened age-verification processes to prevent distribution of pornographic or extremist content.
Even without a direct platform breach, hackers can exploit vendor vulnerabilities to access valuable personal data.
Advice for Users
1. Check for notifications from Discord regarding potential data exposure.
2. Avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial information unnecessarily.
3. Report any suspicious messages or extortion attempts immediately.
4. Stay updated on security advisories from Discord.
Expert Insight
Cybersecurity analysts stress that this incident underscores the importance of monitoring the security practices of third-party vendors. Users should always exercise caution when sharing personal or financial data, even on trusted platforms.
“Even legitimate services can become entry points for attackers,” experts said.
