They’re writing TypeScript that compiles to JavaScript that runs in a V8 engine written in C++ that’s making system calls to an OS kernel that’s scheduling threads across cores they’ve never thought about, hitting RAM through a memory controller with caching layers they couldn’t diagram, all while npm pulls in 400 packages they’ve never read a line of.
Yeah, I noticed something was off around the time every new app was essentially "the fucking website on a self contained chrome browser", aka electron. Sure, it was sold off as being a "write once, run everywhere", but a significant number of said programs and games were still either windows or android exclusive because ha ha fuck you (anyone that's dealt with RPM MV/MZ knows it).
Some layers of abstraction are incredibly welcome - not having to worry about cycles and RAM addressing, having immediate access to graphics without having to reinvent pixel pushing function; but (imo) everything on top of a browser is just an endless series of "why?"
The company's deploying AI-powered inference to estimate user ages based on behavioral patterns, account history, and other signals already in its systems. Only when that automated prediction fails or flags uncertainty will users face requests for manual verification through ID uploads or facial scanning.
Oh, so it's even easier to game it and pretend to be "an adult". Simply avoid any minecraft and roblox communities to be an instant adult.
Discord didn't specify exactly what percentage constitutes a "vast majority," nor did it detail which signals feed into its age prediction models. That lack of transparency could become its own issue as regulators increasingly scrutinize how platforms handle youth safety versus privacy rights.
Big brother is watching you masturbate, for your own good, of course.
For the subset of users who do get flagged for manual verification, Discord says it's partnering with third-party services that specialize in age verification tech. These vendors typically process ID documents or facial scans without permanently storing biometric data, though implementation details remain vague.
It's not permanent storage if they delete after safely selling to interested buys!
As lawmakers ramp up age verification requirements globally, expect more platforms to walk this tightrope between compliance and community trust.
I wonder if this is what might actually push more people into "host your own shit" that's easy to shut down and migrate as needed.
You can buy companies, organizations and people that run FOSS projects, thus buying the project. Audacity was bought and enshitified. SimpleApps suffered a similar fate on Android.
In both cases, the community forked the last "good" version and renamed the project
The sport for the Ambiguously Gay Duo