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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[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 13 points 4 days ago

I bet you that the instance size counts. Matrix has many instances you can pick from. You can also self-host or get a managed instance (someone hosts the system for you). And all of this can be done in jurisdictions that don't have shitty laws.

So, no, it's definitely not the same.

this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026

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