Legal proceedings have been initiated by New Jersey authorities against the popular messaging platform, Discord. The lawsuit accuses the company of falsely portraying its safety mechanisms as effective while concealing inherent risks to children using the app. According to Attorney General Matthew Platkin, Discord has breached consumer protection laws by exposing minors in New Jersey to inappropriate content and potential online predators. The suit, filed on Thursday, alleges multiple violations of the state's Consumer Fraud Act. It highlights discrepancies between Discord's advertised safety features and their actual performance, leaving young users vulnerable.
In a statement, Attorney General Matthew Platkin criticized Discord for promoting itself as a secure environment for children despite evidence suggesting otherwise. The complaint asserts that Discord’s claimed safety measures do not adequately protect its youthful demographic. Specifically, the investigation uncovered that the app’s Safe Direct Messaging feature does not effectively detect or remove explicit content from private messages, contrary to what was promised.
The lawsuit further elaborates on how Discord markets itself through kid-friendly elements such as custom emojis, stickers, and sound effects, attracting underage users. Predators exploit these features to establish connections with minors, subsequently bombarding them with harmful content. Additionally, the app facilitates communities centered around popular children’s games like Roblox, drawing more young users into potentially dangerous situations.
Platkin’s office also pointed out flaws in Discord’s age verification system and default settings, which they argue contribute to the problem. Despite assurances of robust safety protocols, numerous cases have emerged where adults were convicted of exploiting children via Discord, including instances of sextortion. Many victims were under 13 years old, contradicting Discord’s stated policy prohibiting such users.
Seeking justice, the lawsuit requests several remedies, including an order preventing Discord from further violating New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, imposing civil penalties, and compelling the company to forfeit profits earned within the state. As of now, Discord has yet to respond officially to these allegations following the announcement.
Through this legal action, New Jersey aims to hold Discord accountable for misleading practices and ensure enhanced protections for young users navigating digital platforms. The case underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and transparency in safeguarding children online.