Don't change the current usernames system!

While it's a good idea to add a Display Name that wouldn't mean changing our Discord handle, getting rid of the four digits discriminator isn't a good idea for many reasons:

Security and privacy: they're there for one reason. If we want to use 'jack' as a username, it doesn't matter if it's already taken because of the discriminator, which gives us a lot more of security in case there's someone looking for someone naming 'jack' with malicious intent (stalking, doxxing, sending malware on purpose, etc.). This new system opens the door to cyberstalking and other kinds of behavior that shouldn't happen in what's supposed to be a safe space.
Scams, fraud and impersonation: with this new change, everyone is going to snip their wanted username as soon as they can, including celebrities names, handles that a lot of content creators already have in other social networks, which will lead a lot of impersonation. Getting rid of a discriminator that was made in the first place to make your handle unique isn't the way to go.
Sharing usernames: besides the reasons I listed above, it doesn't make sense wanting to change the system just because you can't share those IRL as easily when most of users, if not all, don't have any problem with copying and pasting it in social media or other messaging systems so other people can send a follow request. In fact, there's an easy way to do that in both desktop and the app and there's no need to remember the discriminator, why change something that isn't broken? If anything, it'll be much harder to remember new usernames when people start adding numbers and special characters to it!
Financial effects: this won't affect to everyone because not everyone has a Nitro subscription (I don't), but a lot of people have it so they can have the discriminator they want. With this change, that won't make any sense and the reason why some people have subscribed to Nitro will disappear, so what's to say there won't be a drop in revenue after this change?

For the reasons I listed above and more (feel free to add in comments), please, we ask you to listen to your community and don't go through this change. Adding a Display Name is fine, but getting rid of the discriminator isn't the great idea you think it is. If it's necessary step, please find a solution that will actually works and won't take away what makes Discord unique.

Ub3rShadow

May 05, 2023 17:11

+1.

Nobody wants to have to deal with fighting for their username, having malicious users grab their username first and use it to impersonate someone or harm their repution.

Nobody wants to be locked out of their favourite username either. A social media platform supporting non-globally unique usernames is an awesome feature and one that Discord should be sticking to. Having to remember four digits, which is easy to memorise and easy to write down when giving people your username, is a very small price to pay and hasn't ever hindered me in any way.

The arguments in favour of this change are non-issues whereas the arguments against include security issues, personal safety, finance (loss of Nitro from people who used Nitro basic to change their tag and who drop Nitro in protest), scams, and loss of general customisation. That is very heavily weighted in opposition to this change.

Nobody asked for it. Nobody wants it. I've seen no positive discussion about this change on-platform where its been discussed, and I've seen lots of animosity towards it.

On the technical side, there's no need for unique usernames either. You already have user IDs, and I can't imagine you're phasing them out in exchange for using usernames internally.