Florida files lawsuit against Discord over child safety and age checks

On October 15, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against the chat platform Discord in Tallahassee. The state alleges that the company marketed itself as safe for families while failing to verify users’ ages, protect minors from strangers, or stop predators from using the app.

According to the Attorney General, numerous child predator arrests in Florida have traced back to Discord. The lawsuit states that the company told parents safety is at its core, but that promise was false. Discord has more than 200 million monthly users worldwide, sells paid Nitro subscriptions to Florida users, and reported about 2.7 million monthly active U.S. users under 18 as of February 2024.

Allegations and Legal Claims

The complaint argues that Discord violated several state laws, including the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and a statute protecting children in online spaces (§ 501.1735). The state brings claims for deceptive practices, processing children’s data with actual knowledge or willful disregard of substantial harm, negligence in designing and marketing the platform, negligent misrepresentation, and creating a public nuisance.

The lawsuit details how adults can pose as children using only an email address and a birthday because the platform does not require age verification. For years, default settings allowed strangers to send children friend requests and messages, and the platform still does not scan all private chats for rule breaking. The filing highlights criminal cases where adults used the platform to target minors.

What the State Is Asking the Court to Do

The Attorney General wants the court to permanently ban Discord from operating without real age verification and from collecting children’s data without parental consent. The state also seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per willful violation of the deceptive practices law, and up to $50,000 per violation of the online child protection law, or up to $150,000 per violation where Discord had actual knowledge that a child was under 18.

Additionally, the lawsuit asks the court to order Discord to give up money and property acquired through false promises, provide consumer restitution, and pay damages for abating the public nuisance along with attorney’s fees and costs. The action follows an investigation that began with a March subpoena, and the state contends that new teen safety settings announced by Discord on September 22, 2026, are too little, too late.

What This Means for Families

Parents and young users who rely on the platform face ongoing risks due to the lack of mandatory age verification and open messaging settings. While the lawsuit moves through the court, families should review current privacy settings and monitor who communicates with minors on the app. No specific deadlines for consumers are mentioned in the filing, but the state is pushing for immediate judicial orders against the platform.

If you believe your family has been harmed by deceptive practices or safety failures on digital platforms, talking to a lawyer experienced in consumer protection can help you understand your legal options.

This article is general information based on Florida Attorney General and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 15, 2026.