Bitcoin (BTC) has returned to become the main issue in a cultural conflict. The BTC developer Peter Todd criticized Discord for its implementation of Global Age Assurance. The platform says it must comply with tightening laws in the UK, Australia, and Brazil. Critics say it is going too far.
Todd disagrees with the idea that Discord has no choice. He dismissed the claim that “their hand is forced” through his X writing which was previously known as Twitter.
He argued that the internet functions as a global network. Users are able to access content from any location because countries have the power to block specific materials. Discord does not need to demand more data from users. His main argument revolves around BTC .
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Bitcoin as a Shield Against Surveillance
BTC works as a system that eliminates the need for intermediary financial institutions. The system lets users transfer value between themselves without needing banks to authorize transactions which require identity verification for every single transfer. Todd believes that Discord can use this design to create an alternative financial system.
The majority of internet services depend on payment processing services. The payment processors operate under strict regulations that require them to implement “Know Your Customer” procedures.
KYC ties money to identity. The process of identity verification requires performing age checks. The system causes all parties to experience increasing pressure once a platform adopts it.
Bitcoin breaks that chain. Users can transfer payments directly between their digital wallets. The system operates independently from banks.
The system has no governing body. The system does not require users to show their identification documents. For privacy advocates, that matters. For regulators, it is the problem.
Bitcoin and Discord’s Crypto Ghost
Bitcoin has previously approached its current price level when it traded above its current value on Discord. In 2021, CEO Jason Citron teased a pre-release feature showing wallet connections through MetaMask and WalletConnect.
The backlash was immediate through which thousands of users threatened to end their Nitro subscription. The team decided to cancel their project after they experienced success which appeared to be imminent.
Discord currently experiences its second major crisis. People spread rumors about face scans and government identification methods. The company says over 90% of users will never need to verify their age. The situation lacks sufficient trust.
People who once rejected Bitcoin now present it as a way to escape their current situation. Hidden from sight is the question of whether Discord will actually hear this information.
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