Discord Backtracks Privacy Policy Changes After Public Outrage

Discord's privacy policy is now back to its old self.

The company behind the popular messaging app recently amended its privacy policy to include the parts it removed following a massive backlash against changing it in the first place.

The company even added more clarifying information on top of reverting it to its former version to ease users' confusion.

Discord Public Backlash Details

Discord previously launched a new AI-assisted version of its mascot, Clyde, to bring it to life through OpenAI, per the company's earlier blog post. Thanks to this integration, Clyde will answer users' questions and even have a conversation with anyone on a server, recommend playlists, and use GIFs and emojis.

However, with the inclusion of OpenAI in the messaging app, Gamespot reports that users noticed that the company deleted a clause from its privacy policy that assured them it wouldn't store the contents of calls, streams, or channels.

According to a Reddit post on the r/discordapp subreddit, the company removed the clauses that state the company does not store the contents of video or voice calls or channels nor save streaming content when users share their screens.

The removal of these clauses from the privacy policy means that effective after Mar. 27, Discord will start storing the contents of video or voice calls or channels and save streaming content when users share their screens.

Needless to say, many Discord users were confused and even outraged by the removal of the previously mentioned clauses since they violated users' privacy. Many Reddit users who also use Discord said that should the company implement such a change, they would be forced to switch to a similar messaging app to protect their privacy.

Thankfully, Discord saw and felt the backlash against revising its privacy policy and addressed it. A company representative said that Discord didn't change its position regarding the recording of user content; it even gave clarity to outdated language about some upcoming product enhancements and releases that might have confused users, per PC Gamer.

"However, we want to be clear: Discord does not store or record user content without their knowledge," the representative added."

Reddit user ReallyAmused, who claims to be a Discord employee, also stated that Discord didn't change its position about recording user content and that the wording of the new privacy policy is "broad and can be misunderstood."

Discord's Fixes To Its Privacy Policy

True to the Discord representative and ReallyAmused's word, Discord did fix its privacy policy. It now states that while Discord does not store user content such as video and voice calls or channels, it would provide disclosure to users in advance if it should change its policy in the future, such as in the case of content moderation.

It also added that it doesn't store streaming content when users share their screens, though it does retain the thumbnail cover image for the stream for a short period.

The company took its fix a step further by updating its blog post about its new AI tools explaining how it does and does not use user data. According to Discord, while its AI features use OpenAI technology, OpenAI cannot use Discord user data to train its general models.

"Much like other of its products, these features can only store and use information as described in our Privacy Policy, and they do not record, store, or use any voice or video call content from users," the company added.