Account Lock Out Solution

Hello, to my understanding Discord chooses not to interfere with the security of an account due to security purposes.

I am currently writing from a secondary account that I have to use since I was locked out of my primary discord account. I created a ticket and asked the discord support team for help, they offered no remedy to my problem and stated that it was my responsibility to secure my account and make sure I had the backup codes needed if my 2FA code generator was lost or unable to function.

Here are some suggestions that can be a solution for future users and can also help the company maintain a good relationship between the users and the application.

1) Use the 2 factor authentication to keep the account secure and keep the backup codes as an available option if in an unforeseen case of event the code generator ceases from functioning as intended (E.g. phone breaks, user gets new phone, phone was system reboot for personal reasons, etc.)

*Side note: When I initially set up my 2FA (2 Factor Authentication) for the Discord application I was never prompted to download the backup codes in case of a situation such as being locked out of an account. Discord also never told me of the importance as to why a user would need to download the backup codes and keep them secure for situations such as this. It is the responsibility of both the application dev team and the user to find solutions to complex problems such as this.

2) For future purposes I highly suggest the Discord application have a backup system in place to fix this minor issue in the event that a user is locked out of their account. Here are a few ideas that could work.

• As suggested above a user can redeem the backup codes or unlock their account through the use of a third party such as SMS via cell phone number OR a message sent to the email registered to the account.
• Discord should promote the importance of saving the backup codes in the event that the code generator is unable to give the user the codes needed to complete the 2FA process and sign in.
• Discord should prompt the user to download the backup codes as a requirement when setting up and activating the 2 Factor Authentication.
• Discord should send a copy of the backup codes to the email on file of said account. It is vital to note that at this current time the only way in which a person can gain access to their account; if locked out and cannot use the code generator, is through the use of back up codes.

3) Discord will not change the functionality of its application unless users make it readily apparent that there is an issue in need of major attention. In order to make progress and reconnect with an old account you may have been locked out of please upvote this topic to produce momentum and have the development team create a solution today and for the years to come. Thank you for your time and support!!!

*Side note: A user should not have make the harsh decision of deleting an account because there is a flaw in the system mechanics. No one system or human is perfect, and many other applications offer solutions or work arounds in the event a user is locked out of their account. I have been a proud user of discord for over 5 years and the jokes, memories, and communities I have been engaged with have all been thank to this company. However my primary account is locked and there is no way to re-engage with my friends or servers that I have been a part of for so long. The only solution would be to login but still I am unable to do so. This is why I have created this post in hope to show the flaws and problems that can occur when using an application such as Discord as the one stop shop to connect with the world. The suggestions listed above are only suggestions to fix this issue moving forward. As for the current user percentage that is currently locked out of their account a new, one time only solution, will have to be devised to give old users a new chance at redemption and an opportunity to keep their accounts for as long as we may live. Please help, many blessings and much love, posted July 28th, 2020.

If this makes sense, upvote one time!!!