Every Voice and Video Call on Discord Is Now End-to-End Encrypted (opens in new tab)
Discord now uses end-to-end encryption by default for nearly every voice and video call, without requiring users to opt in. The rollout, completed in March 2026, relies on the open DAVE protocol and spans desktop, mobile, browsers, consoles, bots/apps, and the Social SDK. Discord says encryption was introduced without reducing call quality or performance, though Stage channels remain exempt. ## Building DAVE Across Platforms - Discord began experimenting with voice and video E2EE in 2023. - The DAVE protocol was introduced in 2024 as an open, audited encryption system. - Support was expanded to: - Desktop and mobile - Web browsers - PlayStation and Xbox - Discord bots and apps - The Social SDK - The protocol and its implementation are publicly available and open source. - Trail of Bits externally audited the design and implementation. - Discord expanded its bug bounty program to cover DAVE. - The team collaborated with Mozilla to fix a Firefox issue that interfered with encrypted calls. ## Reaching Default Encryption - Since early March 2026, E2EE covers calls in: - Direct messages - Group DMs - Voice channels - Go Live streams - All clients must support DAVE before joining a call. - Discord is removing unencrypted fallback code, after which calls will no longer be able to downgrade to unencrypted connections. - Encryption operates transparently, preserving expected call quality and latency. ## Why Stage Channels Are Excluded - Stage channels are intended for large-scale broadcasts, AMAs, live events, and town halls. - Their broadcast-oriented architecture differs from personal voice and video conversations. - Discord therefore continues to exclude them from E2EE. ## Future Privacy Work - Discord will continue maintaining and improving DAVE, including its open protocol and bug bounty program. - The company has no current plans to add E2EE to text messages. - Many Discord text features depend on server-side access to messages, so supporting encryption would require substantial redesign. Discord’s recommendation is effectively to treat DAVE as an ongoing privacy foundation rather than a finished project: voice and video calls are now protected by default, while the protocol remains open to inspection and continued improvement.