Roblox, Reddit and Discord users compelled to use biometric ID system backed by Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel
- Peter Thiel, co-founder of surveillance and data analytics company Palantir, is a major investor in Persona – the age verification provider used by major platforms including Reddit and Discord.
- Thiel’s venture capital firm, Founders Fund, led Persona’s $150 million Series C funding round and $200 million Series D funding round, backing the rapid expansion of the US-based identity verification company.[1]
Following global pushes for age assurance by governments, Persona is increasingly being used by major online platforms to carry out biometric age checks. This means UK users may be required to submit facial scans in order to access core Internet services.
- Peter Thiel’s Palantir has previously provided data analytics tools to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). [2]
- Palantir has also partnered with the Israeli Ministry of Defence to provide data and AI capabilities supporting military operations.[3]
- Thiel’s investment networks have also drawn scrutiny due to past business and financial relationships involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.[4]
- In the UK, Palantir has faced political controversy over public sector contracts, including scrutiny linked to political figures such as Lord Mandelson and questions raised in reporting about lobbying, influence, and defence procurement discussions, including around NHS and Ministry of Defence technology contracting.[5]
Growing Public Concern
UK users are increasingly worried about being required to hand over biometric facial data to US technology companies in order to participate in mainstream online platforms.
Many users may be unaware of the investors and financial networks behind the identity infrastructure now being embedded into everyday internet use, and the links some of those networks have to wider surveillance, defence, and intelligence ecosystems.
Call for Choice and Safeguards
Open Rights Group are calling for:
- The right to choose between multiple accredited age verification providers
- Non-biometric alternatives wherever possible
- Full transparency over who processes biometric data and how it is used
- Clear limits on retention, model training use, and onward sharing
James Baker, Big Tech Programme Manager at Open Rights Group, said
“People are worried, and angry, about having to hand over biometric scans of their face to overseas companies just to access online platforms. This is particular concern when children’s faces are being scanned too.”
“Users deserve to know who is behind these systems, how their data is being used, and to have a real choice about who verifies their identity online.”
ENDS
Contact
Press 07951265812 / press@openrightsgroup.org
Notes to editor
- Details of Theil’s Founders Fund investment in Persona can be found here https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/persona-188f and https://www.biometricupdate.com/202109/persona-raises-150m-renews-development-efforts-in-digital-id-solutions-and-infrastructures
- Fortune have reported on ICE’s use of Palantir’s tools https://fortune.com/2026/01/26/ice-allegedly-uses-palantir-tool-tracking-medicaid-data/
- Bloomberg and many others have reported on Palantir’s links to the Israeli Miltary https://www.palantir.com/assets/xrfr7uokpv1b/3MuEeA8MLbLDAyxixTsiIe/9e4a11a7fb058554a8a1e3cd83e31c09/C134184_finaleprint.pdf
- CNBC and others have reported on Peter Theil’s an other Silcon Valley links with the Epstien network – https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/09/tech-leaders-epstein-records-silicon-valley-sergey-brin-thiel-sinofsky-reid-hoffman-musk-gates.html
- The Guardian has reported on how campaigners from Foxglove have been exposing links between Palantir and contracts that former US Ambadasdor and friend of Epsiten helped to broker – https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/04/peter-mandelson-palantir-jeffrey-epstein-government
- Persona is now used by a growing number of major internet platforms.
Reddit: Employs Persona for age verification, particularly in the UK, to comply with local regulations.
- Discord: Has initiated the rollout of Persona’s age verification system globally.
- LinkedIn: Offers identity verification through Persona for members possessing NFC-compatible passports or IDs.
- Roblox: Utilizes Persona to estimate player ages via facial scans, a measure enforced globally since early 2026.
7. ORG has previously called for the age assurance industry to be regulated – https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/online-safety-act-org-calls-for-regulation-of-age-assurance-industry/