Discord Enables End-to-End Encryption for All Voice and Video Calls by Default
Discord has enabled end-to-end encryption for all voice and video calls by default, using its open-source DAVE protocol. This means not even Discord can access call content, marking a significant privacy win at a time when platforms like Meta and TikTok are moving away from encrypted messaging.
Key Points:
- Rollout: All voice and video calls on Discord now use end-to-end encryption by default, with no opt-in required (except for stage channels).
- Protocol: Powered by DAVE, an open-source system first introduced in September 2024 and independently audited by Trail of Bits.
- Timeline: The enforcement began on March 2, 2026, with older app versions that couldn’t support the protocol being cut off from voice/video features. The rollout is now complete worldwide.
- Limitations: Only applies to voice and video; text messages are not end-to-end encrypted. Discord cites its popular content moderation tools as dependent on accessibility of text data.
This move comes less than two weeks after Meta removed end-to-end encryption from Instagram direct messages, citing low adoption rates. Meanwhile, TikTok has taken a stance against encrypted messaging, arguing it hinders law enforcement and safety teams’ access to messages when necessary.