The subpoena demands records on how Discord markets itself to minors, its procedures for moderating content and communications, and its parental control features. It also seeks data on the number of children using the platform and records of complaints alleging exploitation.
Attorney General Uthmeier stated that many criminal investigations into internet child predators lead to Discord. He said the office intends to determine why the platform is used so heavily by predators and what measures are being taken to protect children.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman noted that offenders use platforms like Roblox and Discord as access points to reach children. He emphasized that predators who exploit children will be found, arrested, and held accountable.
Reports indicate that predators often contact minors on other platforms, such as video games like Roblox and Fortnite, before encouraging them to move communications to Discord. This shift may be due to insufficient protections for children on the chat platform.
Discord is widely used for online communication via messaging, audio, and video calls. It has increasingly been identified as a service where predators communicate with children and distribute or collect child sexual abuse material.
The filing suggests that Discord may have violated Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The investigation is part of Uthmeier's broader effort to bring accountability for exploitative environments on social media and gaming platforms.