2024-08-07 17:34:18 -05:00
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# Why I Quit Discord: A Personal Statement
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## Privacy Concerns
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One of my main concerns has always been data protection and user
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anonymity. While Discord's terms of service claim to prioritize users'
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privacy, their actual policies have raised some red flags in my opinion.
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As a vocal advocate for online freedom and security, I couldn't shake the
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feeling that Discord wasn't doing enough to safeguard users' personal
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information.
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This issue became even more pressing when considering the sheer volume of
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user data being collected by Discord. With millions of registered users
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worldwide, it's staggering to think about the amount of sensitive
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information that's being stored on their servers. The truth is, I'm not
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convinced that Discord takes sufficient measures to protect this
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information from prying eyes.
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## Third-Party Clients and Modifications: A Threat to User Autonomy
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Another significant factor in my decision was Discord's restrictive
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approach to third-party clients and modifications. As someone who values
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user autonomy and the freedom to customize their online experience, I
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found it disappointing that Discord wouldn't allow for more flexibility in
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this regard.
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Discord's stance on this issue has been consistent, but in my opinion, it
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flies in the face of their supposed commitment to giving users control
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over their own experiences. The inability to use third-party clients or
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modify the Discord app to suit one's needs seems arbitrary and
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restrictive.
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## The Tencent Factor: A Concern for Government Surveillance
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Finally, let's address a rather contentious issue – the investment made by
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Tencent, a Chinese technology conglomerate, in Discord. While I understand
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that business partnerships are a natural part of any company's growth
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strategy, this particular move has left me wondering about the potential
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implications.
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With the involvement of Tencent comes the very real possibility of
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increased scrutiny from both Chinese and American government agencies. As
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we know, governments on both sides have been increasingly interested in
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monitoring online activity and tracking user behavior. Given this context,
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I couldn't help but feel uneasy about the prospect of our data being
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accessed by entities with less-than-ideal motivations.
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## Conclusion
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In conclusion, while I appreciate the features and community that Discord
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has to offer, my concerns regarding privacy, third-party clients, and
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government involvement have led me to seek alternative platforms for
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online communication. It's not a decision I've taken lightly, but one that
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I feel necessary to protect my own digital freedom.
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I hope that others will consider these issues as well and join me in
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exploring other options for online community-building. Ultimately, our
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online experiences should be guided by principles of user autonomy, data
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protection, and transparency – values that Discord has yet to fully uphold.
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However, a friendly reminder: you can add me on Session.
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If you knew me on Discord you should know how to find me. If not, shoot me an
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email to find out my Session ID via:
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2024-08-07 17:58:45 -05:00
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"discord.sucks(at)sllord(full stop)info".
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2024-08-07 17:59:36 -05:00
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Replace the "(at)" and "(full stop)" with a "@" and a "." respectively.
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