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What's the point of switching to Discord alternatives, if they're going to be subject to the same age verification laws? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by SnoringEarthworm@sh.itjust.works to c/opensource@programming.dev
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I know Discord is enshittifying and I'm all for switching to open source instead.

But everyone's reason for leaving seems to be:

"Discord wants my ID for age verification and I don't like that."

And the new apps will be subject to the exact same laws.

Are users just not realizing that (and therefore in for a rude awakening), or am I missing something?

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[-] Binzy_Boi@piefed.ca 40 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Heard this of Matrix despite it being a decentralised network. Only Matrix servers hosted in the UK will be subject to ID verification laws unless other countries implement the same laws. The Matrix Foundation will not be able to force age verification requirements on remote servers unless they somehow built it into their source code, which is open.

[-] illi@piefed.social 11 points 4 days ago

Didn't it also say that if you self-host a private server for yourself (and mayne friends and family), you'd not have to ID verify. And it can federate, so...

Not that it's that useful for people like me who are not (yet?) savvy enough to self-host stuff but it should be an option.

this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026
69 points (89.7% liked)

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