Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a lawsuit against the online messaging platform Discord, alleging that the company has put children at risk by enabling predators to exploit its service and misleading users regarding the platform’s safety.
Filed on Friday in a Collin County state district court, this lawsuit forms part of a series of legal actions taken by Paxton’s office against various tech companies as he prepares for a U.S. Senate GOP runoff against incumbent John Cornyn set for Tuesday.
Texas joins a growing list of states, including Nevada, Indiana, and New Jersey, that have recently taken legal action against Discord. In addition, Florida has announced an investigation into the platform since March. Numerous private lawsuits have emerged in recent months, primarily from families claiming the service has facilitated the sexual abuse or exploitation of children.
Paxton’s scrutiny of the messaging platform began in 2024, alongside investigations into other tech firms, with a focus on user data privacy. In October, following the tragic death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, he announced an expansion of the investigation to include concerns about the sexual exploitation of minors and the presence of extremist content on Discord.
Discord is widely recognized as a messaging service used primarily for communication during online gaming, offering chat functions and the option for users to create topic-based servers. In recent months, Paxton has also filed lawsuits against other social media and gaming platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, and Roblox, over similar allegations related to user data privacy and the exploitation of children.
“Discord has allowed and invited all kinds of nihilistic violence and evil,” Paxton stated. “We live in a time where the dangers children face online have never been greater, and every parent in Texas deserves to know their child is protected.”
A spokesperson for Discord responded by asserting that the platform has implemented robust safety features aimed at protecting teenage users and is continually enhancing these measures. They noted that approximately 80% of Discord’s users are adults, and that the service mandates users to be at least 13 years old.
“The lawsuit’s characterization of Discord does not reflect the platform we have built or the investments we have made in user safety,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We look forward to collaborating with policymakers to create a safer online experience for all users on Discord and across the internet.”
In 2023, Texas lawmakers strengthened regulations requiring social media platforms to safeguard minors from inappropriate online content. This legislation, known as the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, is currently facing legal challenges, with some portions being blocked due to vagueness concerns.
Using the remaining provisions of the SCOPE Act, Paxton is pursuing legal action against Discord and other tech companies. The lawsuit demands that Discord implement age verification for all users in compliance with the SCOPE Act, and seeks fines under the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, alleging that the company has misrepresented the safety of its platform.
Paxton referenced a 2025 lawsuit filed by the family of a 13-year-old girl who claims she was groomed on both Roblox and Discord before suffering a sexual assault in her home. The family’s lawsuit contends that the companies failed to provide adequate protection for her.
This week, Paxton also filed a lawsuit against WhatsApp and its parent company Meta, alleging that the platform is capable of accessing users’ private messages.
