What began as a simple chat platform with voice functionality has transformed Discord into the primary hub for gamers, communities, and various organizations. Despite its success, some recent changes have stirred dissatisfaction among users. One such alteration, rolled out in September, has become a point of contention: Discord now tracks how long each of your contacts has been playing games and how frequently they play over the past 30 days, in addition to simply showing what games they’re currently playing.
This means your friends’ activity can now be laid bare, including details like “13 days in a row of Call of Duty” or a World of Warcraft session that totals over 100 hours — all highlighted with badges that emphasize long gaming streaks. You can even react with emojis to these displayed activities, adding an extra layer of interaction.
However, the major concern for many users is that this feature allows for the tracking of your gaming habits even when you’re offline. For example, if you canceled plans to spend the day solo gaming, your contacts might notice you’ve been playing for hours, which could lead to uncomfortable situations or unwanted confrontations. Some may also want to keep their gaming activities, such as beta testing a new game or playing a game of a personal nature, private.
The good news is that Discord allows users to opt-out of this feature. If you’re not keen on sharing your gaming activity, simply go to Settings, then click on the Privacy and Security tab. In the Activity Status section, you can disable the tracking feature, ensuring your gaming habits remain private and free from unwanted attention.