Discord Class Action Lawsuit, Are You Owed Money? What 200 Million Users Must Know Now

Discord Faces Multiple Legal Battles Over Child Safety and Subscription Practices—Here’s What 200 Million Users Need to Know

Discord is facing serious legal challenges on multiple fronts. The popular gaming and communication platform is currently defending itself against class action lawsuits over subscription billing practices and a major state lawsuit over child safety failures.

With over 200 million monthly active users—many of them minors—these lawsuits could fundamentally change how Discord operates and what protections users can expect.

If you use Discord or your child does, here’s what’s happening and what it means for you.

What Is the Discord Class Action Lawsuit About?

Discord is currently dealing with several major legal actions:

The Subscription Class Action (2023-2024): Users filed a class action lawsuit claiming Discord continued billing them for Nitro subscriptions even after canceling their accounts, and made cancellation intentionally difficult.

The New Jersey Child Safety Lawsuit (April 2025): New Jersey’s Attorney General sued Discord for allegedly deceiving parents about safety features and exposing children to predators and explicit content.

Individual Product Liability Lawsuits (2022-Present): Families have filed lawsuits claiming Discord failed to protect minors from grooming, exploitation, and abuse by adult predators.

The subscription case represents potentially millions of Discord users who paid for Nitro. The child safety cases could affect every family with children on the platform.

The Discord Nitro Subscription Class Action Lawsuit

What Are Users Alleging?

Discord faces accusations of continuing to charge monthly membership fees without consent after the platform canceled users’ subscriptions.

The lawsuit, filed in California federal court in October 2023, makes two main claims:

Continued Billing After Account Cancellation: Users say Discord kept charging them for Nitro subscriptions even after they deleted their accounts entirely.

Difficult Cancellation Process: The class action alleges Discord violated California Business and Professions Code Section 17602 by forcing users to jump through hoops to cancel their subscriptions.

One plaintiff described subscribing to Nitro for $9.99 per month to create a chat server, then discovering Discord continued billing long after cancellation.

What Is California’s Subscription Cancellation Law?

California Business and Professions Code Section 17602 requires companies to make cancellation as easy as signup.

If you can subscribe with one click online, you must be able to cancel with similar ease.

The lawsuit claims there is no prominently displayed cancellation option, forcing users to navigate through multiple menus and settings.

This violates California’s consumer protection laws designed to stop “negative option” billing schemes.

Current Status of the Subscription Lawsuit

The case was filed in October 2023 in California federal court (Case No. 3:23-cv-05385).

As of late 2024 and into 2025, the case is still in early proceedings. No class certification ruling has been issued yet, and no settlement has been announced.

Discord has not publicly responded to the specific allegations about continued billing practices.

Who Qualifies for This Class Action?

The proposed class would include:

• California residents who subscribed to Discord Nitro
• Users who canceled their Nitro subscription or deleted their Discord account
• Users who were charged for Nitro after cancellation
• Users who found the cancellation process unnecessarily difficult

The exact class definition will be determined if the court certifies the class.

New Jersey’s Child Safety Lawsuit Against Discord

The Attorney General’s Allegations

On April 17, 2025, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Discord.

The complaint alleges Discord built a massive user base by touting its application as a “safe space for teens,” claiming it “makes its products safe spaces by design and default,” but deceived children and parents about the efficacy of safety features, leaving children vulnerable to harassment, abuse, and sexual exploitation by predators.

This is the first state lawsuit of its kind against Discord.

What Does New Jersey Claim Discord Did Wrong?

The lawsuit alleges violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act through several deceptive practices:

False Safety Claims: Discord marketed itself as safe for teens while knowing predators actively used the platform.

Ineffective Age Verification: The platform allegedly failed to enforce age restrictions, allowing children under 13 to easily create accounts.

Dangerous Default Settings: Safety features were not enabled by default, leaving children exposed to direct messages from strangers.

Insufficient Content Moderation: Discord allegedly allowed violent and sexually explicit content to proliferate in spaces accessible to minors.

Design That Facilitates Grooming: The platform’s structure allegedly makes it easy for predators to target, isolate, and exploit children.

What Remedies Is New Jersey Seeking?

The state is asking the court to:

• Issue an injunction requiring Discord to fix unsafe design features
• Impose civil penalties for consumer fraud violations
• Order Discord to implement better safety protections for minors
• Require accurate disclosure about platform risks to parents and children

The state is not seeking monetary damages for individual victims through this lawsuit, but civil penalties could be substantial.

Discord’s Response to the New Jersey Lawsuit

Discord has disputed the claims, though specific details of their legal defense are still emerging.

The company has maintained that it takes user safety seriously and has safety tools available.

However, the lawsuit argues these tools are inadequate and not implemented by default.

Individual Lawsuits: Discord and Child Exploitation Cases

The 2022 Roblox and Discord Lawsuit

In October 2022, the Social Media Victims Law Center filed a lawsuit against Discord and Roblox on behalf of the family of an 11-year-old girl who attempted suicide multiple times after allegedly being financially and sexually exploited by adult men.

This case highlighted how predators can use gaming platforms and communication apps together to target vulnerable children.

The lawsuit claimed Discord failed to:

• Properly verify users’ ages
• Monitor direct messages for grooming behavior
• Remove known predators from the platform
• Warn parents about exploitation risks

Recent Criminal Cases Involving Discord

The legal trouble extends beyond civil lawsuits.

In April 2025, Lonnie Youmans was arrested in New York and charged with sexual exploitation of a child and receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography through Discord.

Law enforcement has documented numerous cases where predators used Discord to:

• Groom children they met on other platforms
• Exchange child sexual abuse material
• Coordinate exploitation of minors
• Lure children into dangerous offline meetings

These criminal cases provide evidence supporting claims in civil lawsuits.

Discord’s Arbitration Clause: Can You Sue?

Understanding Discord’s Forced Arbitration Policy

Discord’s Terms of Service include a mandatory arbitration clause for U.S. and Canadian users.

This means if you have a dispute with Discord, you generally can’t sue in court—you must use private arbitration instead.

No action, regardless of form, arising out of or relating to a dispute may be brought by either party more than one year after the cause of action has accrued.

This creates significant barriers for users seeking legal remedies.

How Class Actions Get Around Arbitration

The subscription class action lawsuit survived despite the arbitration clause because:

Some Users Never Agreed: Users who created accounts before arbitration clauses were added may not be bound.

California Law Protections: California has consumer protection laws that limit arbitration enforceability in certain contexts.

Class Action Waivers May Be Unenforceable: Courts sometimes find class action waivers unconscionable under state law.

State Lawsuits Aren’t Subject to Arbitration

The New Jersey Attorney General’s lawsuit bypasses arbitration entirely.

State enforcement actions for consumer protection violations don’t require arbitration because the state is exercising its sovereign authority to protect citizens.

This is why state attorney general lawsuits can be more powerful than individual claims.

Can You Opt Out of Arbitration?

Discord’s Terms of Service may include an opt-out provision, but it typically must be exercised within 30 days of account creation or terms acceptance.

Check the current Terms of Service at discord.com/terms for opt-out instructions if available.

Data Privacy Concerns: Does Discord Violate COPPA?

What Is COPPA?

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law protecting children under 13 online.

COPPA requires websites and apps to:

• Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting data from children under 13
• Provide clear privacy policies about data collection
• Maintain reasonable security for children’s information
• Not condition participation on providing more information than necessary

Violations can result in substantial fines from the Federal Trade Commission.

Why Discord’s Age Verification Matters

Discord’s Terms of Service prohibit users under 13 from creating accounts.

But the New Jersey lawsuit claims Discord doesn’t effectively enforce this restriction.

If Discord knowingly allows children under 13 to use the platform and collects their data, it could face COPPA violations.

The FTC has not publicly announced any COPPA investigation into Discord, but state lawsuits could prompt federal scrutiny.

State Privacy Laws Also Apply

Beyond COPPA, Discord must comply with state privacy laws like:

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): Gives California residents data rights
• California Age-Appropriate Design Code: Requires privacy by default for minors
• State data breach notification laws: Require disclosure of security incidents

The New Jersey lawsuit focuses on consumer fraud rather than privacy violations specifically, but data protection failures contribute to the overall claims.

How Discord Compares to Other Tech Platform Lawsuits

Similar Cases Against Social Media Companies

Discord isn’t alone in facing legal challenges over child safety:

Meta (Facebook/Instagram): Multiple states sued Meta in 2023-2024 alleging the platforms harm teen mental health and use addictive features targeting children.

TikTok: Faces state lawsuits over child safety, data privacy, and allegations of facilitating dangerous viral challenges.

Snapchat: Sued by families claiming the platform enabled drug dealers to target teens with lethal fentanyl-laced pills.

Roblox: Faces lawsuits over inadequate protection against child predators and exploitation on the gaming platform.

What Makes Discord’s Situation Unique?

Discord’s structure creates distinct risks:

Private Servers: Unlike public social media feeds, Discord servers can be invite-only and hidden from view, making moderation difficult.

Direct Messaging: Strangers can easily DM users, creating grooming opportunities.

Gaming Community Integration: Discord is deeply embedded in gaming culture, attracting children who play popular games.

Minimal Content Moderation: Discord relies heavily on server owners to moderate, with limited platform-wide oversight.

These features make Discord particularly vulnerable to exploitation compared to more visible platforms.

Congressional Scrutiny of Tech Platforms

Discord executives haven’t faced the same level of congressional testimony as Meta, TikTok, and YouTube.

But growing awareness of Discord-related exploitation could lead to federal hearings and potential legislation specifically addressing private messaging platforms.

The New Jersey lawsuit could be the first of many state actions.

What This Means for Discord Users

Should You Delete Your Discord Account?

Deleting your account is a personal decision based on your risk tolerance.

Consider these factors:

If you’re an adult user: The subscription billing issues are concerning but may not warrant deletion if you don’t subscribe to Nitro or carefully monitor your billing.

If you’re a parent: The child safety allegations are serious. Consider whether the benefits of Discord for your child outweigh the risks.

If your child uses Discord: Review all safety settings, limit who can send direct messages, and monitor their activity closely.

Deleting isn’t the only option—you can also adjust privacy settings and limit use.

How to Protect Yourself on Discord

Enable All Privacy Settings:

• Set “Who can send you friend requests” to limited options
• Enable “Keep me safe” content filtering
• Turn off “Allow direct messages from server members”
• Use the “Streamer Mode” to hide personal information

For Parents:

• Create a family communication plan about online safety
• Regularly review your child’s Discord friends and servers
• Consider using Discord with your child rather than allowing private use
• Report suspicious behavior to Discord and law enforcement

Monitor Your Billing:

• Regularly check credit card statements for unexpected charges
• Screenshot confirmation emails when canceling subscriptions
• Consider using virtual card numbers that can be easily canceled

Can You Join the Class Action Lawsuit?

For the subscription billing class action, you don’t need to do anything to join right now.

If the court certifies the class and you qualify, you’ll receive notice by email or mail explaining your options:

• Stay in the class and potentially receive compensation
• Opt out and pursue your own lawsuit
• Object to any proposed settlement

For the New Jersey child safety lawsuit, this is a state enforcement action, not a class action. Individual users cannot join, but the outcome could lead to changes benefiting all users.

For individual product liability cases, families affected by exploitation on Discord should consult with attorneys specializing in social media harm cases.

Your Rights as a Discord User

Regardless of arbitration clauses, you have rights:

Right to Cancel Services: Under California and other state laws, you can cancel subscriptions easily.

Right to Data Access: Under CCPA and similar laws, you can request what data Discord has about you.

Right to Report Violations: You can report consumer fraud to your state attorney general.

Right to File Complaints: You can complain to the FTC about business practices, even if you can’t sue in court.

Potential Outcomes and Timeline

What Could Happen with the Subscription Class Action?

Several scenarios are possible:

Settlement: Discord might settle before class certification, offering refunds to affected users and changing cancellation processes.

Class Certification: The court could certify the class, allowing the case to proceed to trial or settlement negotiations.

Dismissal: Discord could successfully argue for dismissal based on arbitration clauses or other defenses.

Trial: If no settlement is reached, the case could go to trial, potentially taking years.

Most class actions settle rather than going to trial, especially when the claims involve clear violations of state consumer protection laws.

What Could Happen with the New Jersey Lawsuit?

The state’s lawsuit has several possible outcomes:

Injunctive Relief: The court could order Discord to implement specific safety features and change default settings.

Civil Penalties: Discord could be ordered to pay substantial fines to New Jersey.

Consent Decree: Discord might agree to specific reforms in exchange for resolving the lawsuit.

Dismissal: Discord could prevail on legal defenses, though this seems less likely given the detailed allegations.

Other States Joining: The New Jersey action could inspire other states to file similar lawsuits.

State consumer protection lawsuits often result in settlements requiring both monetary penalties and operational changes.

Realistic Timeline for Resolution

Subscription Class Action:

• Class certification decision: 6-12 months from filing (late 2024-2025)
• Settlement negotiations: 1-2 years if class is certified
• Final approval and payments: 3-4 years from initial filing

New Jersey Lawsuit:

• Initial motions and discovery: 12-18 months (through 2026)
• Settlement negotiations or trial preparation: 18-36 months
• Final resolution: 2-4 years from filing (2027-2029)

These are estimates—cases can resolve faster through settlement or drag on longer through appeals.

Discord’s Response and Policy Changes

Has Discord Changed Its Practices?

Discord hasn’t publicly announced major policy overhauls in response to these lawsuits yet.

However, companies often make changes during litigation without explicitly acknowledging the lawsuits prompted them.

Watch for:

• Updates to cancellation processes
• New safety features enabled by default
• Enhanced age verification systems
• Improved content moderation
• Changes to Terms of Service

What Discord Says About Safety

Discord maintains it provides safety tools, but critics argue they’re inadequate and not enabled by default.

The company emphasizes user choice in privacy settings, but this places the burden on users (including children) to protect themselves.

Discord’s blog and safety center (discord.com/safety) outline available features, but the lawsuits question whether these go far enough.

Frequently Asked Questions About Discord Lawsuits

What is the Discord class action lawsuit about?

There are multiple Discord lawsuits. The main class action involves subscription billing—specifically allegations that Discord continued charging users for Nitro after they canceled, and made cancellation unnecessarily difficult in violation of California consumer protection law.

Can I join the Discord class action lawsuit?

If the court certifies the subscription class action and you’re a qualifying class member, you’ll automatically be included unless you opt out. You don’t need to take action now—wait for official notice if the class is certified.

Am I part of the Discord lawsuit?

You’re potentially part of the subscription class action if you’re a California resident who was charged for Discord Nitro after canceling or had difficulty canceling. The exact class definition hasn’t been finalized yet.

What are the allegations against Discord?

The allegations include: continuing to bill users after cancellation, making subscription cancellation intentionally difficult, deceiving parents about child safety features, failing to enforce age restrictions, and exposing minors to predators and explicit content through inadequate safety measures.

How much money can I get from the Discord lawsuit?

No settlement amount has been determined yet. If there’s a settlement or judgment in the subscription class action, compensation will depend on total damages, number of class members, and legal fees. Typical outcomes range from small refunds to larger awards in cases with clear harm.

Has Discord been sued before?

Yes, Discord has faced individual lawsuits from families claiming the platform failed to protect children from exploitation. The current class action over subscriptions and the New Jersey state lawsuit represent new, broader legal challenges.

Is Discord in legal trouble?

Yes, Discord is currently defending multiple lawsuits including a class action over billing practices and a state enforcement action over child safety. The legal outcomes remain uncertain.

What are Discord’s privacy violations?

The lawsuits allege consumer fraud and deceptive practices rather than direct privacy law violations. However, concerns include inadequate age verification (potentially implicating COPPA), failure to protect minors’ data, and unsafe default privacy settings.

Can I sue Discord individually?

Discord’s Terms of Service require arbitration for most disputes, making it difficult to sue in court individually. However, you may be able to pursue arbitration for individual claims, and some users might not be bound by arbitration clauses depending on when they created accounts.

How do I opt out of Discord’s arbitration agreement?

Check Discord’s current Terms of Service for opt-out instructions. Typically, you must send written notice within 30 days of agreeing to the terms. Visit discord.com/terms for current requirements.

When will the Discord lawsuit be settled?

There’s no settlement yet for either the subscription class action or the New Jersey lawsuit. Class actions typically take 2-4 years to resolve, while state enforcement actions can take 2-5 years depending on complexity and whether settlement is reached.

Should I stop using Discord?

This is a personal decision. The lawsuits don’t require users to stop using Discord. Consider your individual circumstances, especially if you have children using the platform. Enable all available safety features regardless of your decision.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know

Discord faces serious legal challenges that could reshape how the platform operates:

Multiple Legal Fronts: A class action over subscription practices, a state lawsuit over child safety, and individual exploitation cases all target Discord’s business practices.

Subscription Issues: Users claim Discord makes cancellation intentionally difficult and continues billing after cancellation, violating California consumer protection law.

Child Safety Concerns: New Jersey’s lawsuit claims Discord deceived parents and children about platform safety while exposing minors to predators and explicit content.

Arbitration Barriers: Discord’s Terms of Service make it difficult for individual users to sue, but class actions and state enforcement actions can bypass these restrictions.

Broader Tech Accountability: Discord’s lawsuits are part of a larger trend of legal action against social media and communication platforms over user safety.

Long Timeline: Don’t expect quick resolution—these cases will likely take years to conclude.

User Action: While litigation proceeds, users should maximize privacy settings, monitor children’s Discord use, and watch billing statements carefully.

Resources and Next Steps

Official Legal Documents

• New Jersey Attorney General Complaint: nj.gov/oag/newsreleases25/2025-0417_Discord_Complaint.pdf
• Discord Terms of Service: discord.com/terms
• Discord Privacy Policy: discord.com/privacy

Government Resources

• Federal Trade Commission (COPPA Information): ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule
• FTC Consumer Protection: ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection
• California Consumer Privacy Resources: oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa
• New Jersey Consumer Affairs: njconsumeraffairs.gov

Legal Help and Information

• Class Action Settlement Information: classaction.org/news/category/discord-inc
• Social Media Victims Law Center: socialmediavictims.org

How to Report Problems

• Report to Discord: discord.com/safety/360044103771-reporting-abusive-behavior-to-discord
• Report to FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Report to Your State Attorney General: Find your state AG at naag.org/find-my-ag
• Report Child Exploitation: Report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at cybertipline.org

Monitoring the Lawsuits

Stay updated on case developments by:

• Checking classaction.org for settlement announcements
• Following legal news sites like Law360 (may require subscription)
• Monitoring Discord’s blog for policy changes
• Searching PACER for federal court filings (pacer.gov)

Disclaimer: This article provides information about ongoing litigation and should not be considered legal advice. If you believe you have a claim against Discord, consult with an attorney. The lawsuits discussed are still in progress, and outcomes remain uncertain. Information is current as of October 2025 but may change as litigation proceeds.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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