Discord cuts ties with Peter Thiel-backed verification software after its code was found tied to U.S. surveillance efforts
Summary
Fortune reports that Discord severed ties with Persona Identities after its verification software’s frontend code was exposed and found on government endpoints, raising privacy and surveillance concerns. The piece details 269 verification checks, including age verification and screening against watchlists, with data exposure on a FedRAMP-endpoint and ongoing questions about data handling, governance, and vendor security. It also covers responses from Persona’s CEO, Discord’s safety reforms, and prior related incidents involving third-party providers.