University of Kwazulu-Natal

Paxton Announces Discord Investigation Related To Charlie Kirk

Bonisiwe Shabane
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paxton announces discord investigation related to charlie kirk

Discord logo displayed on a phone screen and Discord website displayed on a screen in the background are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on November 5, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) TEXAS - A Texas investigation has expanded to include Discord's potential use ahead of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the investigation Thursday, accusing the popular chat platform of exposing minors to extremism. The Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act investigation has been expanded into Discord due to the reports that Tyler Robinson, the accused shooter in Kirk's killing, used the platform to plan the... Paxton's Thursday release also mentions reports that the platform is addictive and has exposed minors to sexual exploitation and extremist content.

The attorney general had previously announced an investigation to determine whether Discord is effectively safeguarding children online. This article has been updated since publication. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office has expanded its investigation into the online chat platform Discord following reports that the platform was used by the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move broadens Paxton’s ongoing probe under the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, which authorizes investigations into digital platforms accused of endangering minors. Paxton said the expansion responds not only to Discord’s reported connection to the assassin but also to growing concerns that the platform exposes children to sexual exploitation and extremist content and contains addictive features... TYLER, Texas — Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he will be investigating Discord after it was used by the reported assassin accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

Paxton said in an announcement he has expanded the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act investigation into the online chat platform. In addition to allegedly being used by Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering Kirk, Paxton said Discord is "addictive and has exposed minors to sexual exploitation and extremist content." “I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with the Trump administration to root out and defeat nihilistic violent extremism in all its forms,” Paxton said. “Discord has chosen to allow extremist content, sexual exploitation, and addiction to flourish on its platform. It has a legal obligation to prevent minors from being exposed to these evils, but instead its actions have contributed to the growing wave of nihilistic violence all across our nation.” He had previously launched an investigation into Discord over its privacy and safety practices for children.

On Thursday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a probe into the popular digital platform Discord. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is cracking down on the popular chat platform Discord, citing its use by the suspected gunman who killed Charlie Kirk. "Discord has chosen to allow extremist content, sexual exploitation and addiction to flourish on its platform," Paxton wrote in a post on X announcing the investigation Thursday. BREAKING: I'm investigating Discord after the platform was used by the reported assassin who murdered Charlie Kirk.Discord has chosen to allow extremist content, sexual exploitation, and addiction to flourish on its platform. pic.twitter.com/8e883kGqwc The investigation into the popular platform is described in Paxton's memo as an expansion of looking into violations of the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act.

The Texas law, established in 2024, requires digital service providers, such as companies that own websites, apps and software, to protect minors from harmful content and data collection practices. AUSTIN, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has expanded his investigation into the online chat platform Discord following revelations that the reported assassin of Charlie Kirk used the service, along with ongoing concerns... The move comes under the authority of the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, which allows the Attorney General to investigate digital platforms that may pose risks to minors. “I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with the Trump Administration to root out and defeat nihilistic violent extremism in all its forms,” Paxton stated. “Discord has chosen to allow extremist content, sexual exploitation, and addiction to flourish on its platform. It has a legal obligation to prevent minors from being exposed to these evils, but instead its actions have contributed to the growing wave of nihilistic violence all across our nation.”

Paxton had previously initiated a probe into Discord’s safety and privacy practices concerning minors. The expanded Civil Investigative Demand (CID) now seeks information specifically related to extremist content, grooming of minors, the role of the platform in mass violence, and features that may foster addiction in youth users. The Attorney General’s office said the investigation will assess Discord’s compliance with legal obligations and its role in the radicalization and exploitation of minors. AUSTIN, Texas (October 9, 2025) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced an investigation into the social media platform Discord, alleging that the service allowed extremist content and child exploitation to flourish, and... Paxton made the announcement Wednesday, stating his office has launched a formal inquiry into Discord’s moderation policies and safety practices under the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. The move comes after reports surfaced that the alleged assassin, Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Arizona, had used Discord in the days before the fatal shooting.

“Discord has chosen to allow extremist content, sexual exploitation, and addiction to flourish on its platform,” Paxton said in a statement. “Texas will not tolerate platforms that turn a blind eye to the dangers they enable.” In response to Paxton’s announcement, Discord confirmed it has removed Robinson’s account and is cooperating with authorities. The company, however, pushed back on claims that its platform was used to plan or coordinate the attack. “We have found no evidence that the suspect planned or promoted violence on Discord,” a company spokesperson said. “Some of the alleged messages circulating online are being misinterpreted or taken out of context.”

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