leaving Discord
2026-02-25: I've decided to drop Discord chat. I've been aware of, and uneasy with, their data collection policies for a while as I do read those Privacy Policy updates that companies send out from time to time. I've long since opted-out of everything I could.
It's sad; it's been home for a while (maybe since 2015). But a home isn't a home unless you feel safe. The age verification push has caused me to reach a boiling point. Or maybe rather a point of reflection and assessing what I value and how far I'm willing to compromise on those.
Update 2026-04-16: Since that intial draft, I've uninstalled Discord from mobile which was how I spent the most time on the platform. I'll open it up on Windows (I now mainly use Linux and am in the process of moving stuff over - which is a separate post) when I'm playing WoW if one of my Bnet friends are on. I can see myself keeping it or installing an alternative client (like Webcord) if I ever get around to properly reformatting my Win11 install in order to reclaim space.
My Discord profile directs people to add me on Stoat and Gamevox but I haven't seen any organic adoption there. I'm also not sold on either solution. Truthfully, I feel I'm past the days of long, frequent sessions of "gaming with the boys". It's more like scheduled spurts or maybe a coordinated long session over the weekend as time allows. So, I guess I'm saying I'm not part of the original userbase anymore.
As much as I have less and less need of a VoIP + forum solution, though I do miss out on friends' memes and chatter, I am disappointed the bigger communities I'm a member of seem to be staying put. Each waiting for someone else to make the grand migration before they do. Making the value choice to not be a daily active user of Discord means I don't get to be a part of a few communities I enjoyed being a part of and a couple I was looking forward to joining. And that's a bummer.
What would it take for me to uninstall Discord completely? To delete my profile and account?
Can I afford to keep using the service if even two or three times a week? Do I weaken my position or statement to my social group? To Discord? What is my position? What can I compromise on? Is leaving Discord about living out my values or about stamping my foot at a multi-million(?) dollar company?