Discord — Policy Change
Executive Summary
Discord disclosed it may acquire data from third parties (e.g. engagement with content or games outside Discord) to show more relevant sponsored content. Expanded data sharing with measurement partners to gauge ad effectiveness. Introduced new Data Privacy Controls, but the update was criticized for being rolled out quietly via an in-app pop-up.
What Happened
Discord updated its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy on September 29, 2025, announcing that it may collect data from third parties about user engagement with content or games outside Discord to show more relevant sponsored content, specifically its rewards-based advertising format called Quests. The company also expanded data sharing with measurement partners to assess advertising effectiveness and introduced new Data Privacy Controls. The update was communicated to users through an in-app pop-up notification, with updated settings planned to roll out to desktop and mobile users in the following weeks.
Who Is Affected
All Discord users across desktop and mobile platforms are affected by these policy changes. Users who engage with games or content outside of Discord and those who interact with sponsored content like Quests will be particularly impacted by the expanded data collection and sharing practices. The new Data Privacy Controls are being made available to all users globally, though the rollout is happening gradually over several weeks.
Why It Matters
This policy change represents a significant expansion of Discord's data collection practices beyond its own platform and introduces new third-party data sharing for advertising purposes on a platform primarily known for gaming communication and community building. The quiet rollout via in-app pop-up rather than prominent announcement raises concerns about whether users were adequately informed about these substantial changes to how their data is collected and used. The change reflects Discord's increased investment in monetization through sponsored content while the company states it maintains commitment to user privacy and transparency.
What You Should Do
Review Discord's updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to understand the full scope of data collection and sharing practices. Access the new Data Privacy Controls mentioned in the announcement to adjust your settings according to your privacy preferences, though you may need to wait for the feature to roll out to your account in the coming weeks. Consider reviewing which third-party games and services you have connected to your Discord account, as these connections may now contribute to data used for targeted advertising.
AI-Assisted
Event summaries are generated by Claude AI from verified sources and reviewed by humans before publication.