Discord's terms are written in a friendly, readable style but contain aggressive legal clauses that strip users of their right to sue in court. While the platform is easy to use and delete, the broad license they claim over your content and the forced arbitration process are significant drawbacks. Users should be aware that they are agreeing to a restrictive legal framework that heavily favors the company in the event of a dispute.
Overall Score: 57/100 — 🟡 Approved
57
out of 100
🟡 Approved
Social / Messaging · Reviewed April 11, 2026
Passing threshold: 75/100 for Certified, 55/100 for Approved
Criteria Breakdown
| Criterion | Score | Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Language | 7/10 | ✓ | Generally accessible and conversational, though the legal sections remain dense and intimidating. |
| Data Collection Transparency | 6/10 | ✓ | Discloses data collection but relies heavily on cross-referencing a separate Privacy Policy. |
| No Unauthorized Data Selling | 5/10 | ✗ | Vague regarding third-party sharing; while not explicitly 'selling' in the traditional sense, the license granted to them is broad. |
| Clear Cancellation Policy | 8/10 | ✓ | Clear instructions provided for account termination via settings. |
| Clear Refund Policy | 4/10 | ✗ | Defers to separate 'Paid Services Terms,' making it difficult to assess fairness without navigating multiple documents. |
| Auto-Renewal Disclosure | 6/10 | ✓ | Mentioned as part of paid services, but lacks specific, prominent 'before-signup' clarity in this document. |
| No Hidden Fees | 7/10 | ✓ | States basic services are free, but warns of potential data/mobile charges. |
| Right to Delete Account & Data | 8/10 | ✓ | Process is clearly defined, though it notes that some data may persist for legal or safety reasons. |
| Fair Dispute Resolution | 1/10 | ✗ | Contains a mandatory arbitration clause and class-action waiver, which is highly restrictive for consumers. |
| Change Notification | 5/10 | ✗ | Lacks a specific commitment to provide advance notice of material changes to the terms. |
Red Flags
- Mandatory arbitration clause and class-action waiver that forces users to give up their right to a jury trial.
- Broad, perpetual, royalty-free, and sublicensable license to user content that extends beyond the scope of providing the service.
- One-year statute of limitations for bringing any legal claim, which is significantly shorter than many state laws.
What Discord Could Improve
- Remove the mandatory arbitration clause and class-action waiver to restore consumer access to the court system.
- Include a clear 'Summary of Changes' section at the top of the document whenever terms are updated.
- Explicitly state that user data will not be sold to third parties, rather than relying on broad licensing language.
This review was conducted by FairPrint's automated scoring system using the Gemini AI model, applying our 10 consumer-rights criteria. Scores reflect the terms as written at the time of review — April 11, 2026. Companies can apply for official certification at any time.