Discord
8,934 words · ~45 min read · Last updated March 2024
Clause-by-Clause Translation
Original
"By uploading, posting, or sharing content on Discord, you grant Discord a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display such content in connection with providing and improving the Services."
Translation
The memes you've shared, the art you've posted, the voice messages you've sent — Discord has a license to use all of it. In connection with "improving the Services" is a phrase that covers a significant amount of territory.
Original
"Discord uses automated systems to scan messages, images, and other content for violations of our Community Guidelines and Terms of Service."
Translation
Discord's automated systems read your messages. Including private messages. This is for safety and moderation purposes, which is a legitimate use. The Bureau notes that "automated scanning" and "private conversation" are in tension and that tension is disclosed in paragraph 11.
Original
"Discord may collect and use data about your interactions with other users, including message activity, voice call participation, and reactions."
Translation
Discord knows who you talk to, how often, in what channels, and whether you reacted to their messages. This interaction graph is a profile of your relationships and is used to improve the product. Improving the product includes advertising.
Original
"You agree that any dispute you have with Discord will be resolved through binding arbitration, on an individual basis."
Translation
If Discord bans your account incorrectly, loses your data, or does something that harms you, you have agreed to resolve this in private arbitration rather than court. You must do this individually. You cannot join a class action.
What You Actually Agreed To
A broad content license for everything you post, including in "private" servers
Automated scanning of your messages, including DMs, for policy violations
Data collection on your social interactions and message patterns
Individual arbitration for any disputes, no class actions
That Discord can modify these terms and your continued use is acceptance
That Discord can terminate your account and access to your server data at any time
Bureau Summary
"Discord's terms are relatively conversational in tone, which is appropriate for a platform whose brand identity is "your friend group." The conversational tone, however, does not change the substance. You have given Discord a broad content license, agreed to automated scanning of your messages, and accepted their arbitration clause. The Bureau notes: friendly tone, standard clauses."
— Bureau Translation Service