Discord bots have become incredibly popular on the platform, with some servers having dozens of bots for various purposes. This has led some users to question whether bots are actually allowed on Discord, or if using them breaks the platform’s terms of service.
The short answer
Yes, Discord bots are legal and allowed by Discord. The platform provides an API specifically for developers to create and integrate bots. As long as bots follow Discord’s guidelines, they are permitted on both public and private servers.
Discord’s bot rules
Discord has some specific rules and limitations when it comes to bots:
- Bots cannot spam, scam, hack, or distribute malware.
- Bots must comply with Discord’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
- Bots cannot extensively use @everyone or @here spam.
- Bots should not join servers without permission from the owner.
- Bots cannot send unsolicited DMs to users.
As long as a bot adheres to these rules, it is allowed by Discord. Bot developers who violate these terms may have their bots banned from the platform.
Discord’s bot approval process
In order for a bot to interface with Discord, the developer must apply for and receive approval via the Discord Developer Portal. This involves:
- Registering a Discord bot account
- Registering the bot’s user application
- Going through Discord’s approval process
Once approved, the developer receives a token which can be used to connect their bot to the API. Discord reviews all bots during this process to ensure they meet platform guidelines.
Bot use cases allowed by Discord
Discord provides developers significant leeway in the types of bots they create. Some common use cases include:
- Moderation – Managing channels, roles, bans
- Music & audio – Playing music/audio in voice channels
- Leveling & games – Creating leveling, points, and games
- Giveaways & polls – Managing giveaways and polls
- Logging & alerts – Logging messages and activity
- Fun – Memes, randomization, and other entertainment
As long as these bots follow Discord’s rules, they are permitted both on public and private Discord servers.
Rules for private vs public bots
The rules governing bot use are primarily the same whether on a public or private server. The main difference is:
- Public bots – Cannot join private servers without invitation
- Private bots – Can be directly added by owners of private servers
Aside from this distinction, both public and private bots must still adhere to Discord’s bot terms of service.
Advertising rules for Discord bots
Discord places some limits around bots that manage server advertising or promotions:
- Ads must comply with Discord’s Ad Guidelines
- Bots cannot spam ads in DMs without consent
- Ad content must be clearly labeled as promotional
- Ads cannot promote illegal services or products
Discord reviews any bots that facilitate advertising, so developers should ensure ads displayed in servers abide by these rules.
Liability for illegal bot activities
While Discord allows bots that follow their policies, the developer may still be liable if the bot engages in illegal activities. This includes:
- Distributing malware, viruses, or worms
- Phishing attempts
- Sharing of child exploitation imagery
- Spamming or scamming
- Copyright infringement
Bot developers must ensure their creations comply with applicable laws and do not misuse Discord or harm users. Discord bans illegal bots but may also report developers to legal authorities if necessary.
Best practices for Discord bot developers
To keep bots compliant with Discord’s rules, developers should follow these best practices:
- Carefully review Discord’s terms and bot rules
- Make bots easy to remove from servers
- Provide working contact info and support
- Ensure bots comply with data and privacy laws
- Do not spam @everyone/@here without permission
- Moderate bot content and activity appropriately
- Allow bot use to be disabled in channels/servers
Following these guidelines creates the best experience for server owners while adhering to Discord’s policies.
Penalties for non-compliant bot activities
If a bot violates Discord’s rules, there can be a few consequences:
- Bot ban – Discord can ban non-compliant bots from the platform
- Developer account restrictions – Developers may have posting/server joining limited or be banned
- Loss of API access – Developers can lose access to Discord’s API for severe violations
- Legal liability – As mentioned above, illegal activities can lead to criminal charges
Repeated or serious violations essentially prohibit developers from operating bots on Discord. This is why carefully following the guidelines is crucial.
Discord’s approval of bots over time
Discord has become significantly more accommodating of bots over time as their popularity has increased. Key timeline points include:
- Early 2016 – Discord launches bot API for developers
- 2017 – Approval process introduced for new bot accounts
- 2018 – Bot rules tightened to prevent spam/abuse
- 2019 – Further bot growth, with over 155,000 developer bots created
- 2020 – New server insight features to manage bots
- 2021 – Discord verification program launched for enhanced bot security
As bots have become more popular, Discord has adapted conditions to enable innovative bot development while protecting users. The platform continues to evolve its policies as bots take on new use cases.
Notable legal issues involving Discord bots
A few controversial incidents related to illegal Discord bots include:
- Nitro sniper – Early bots stole nitro gift codes, leading to anti-spam measures
- Raid bots – Bots that spammed servers were banned in 2017
- CrimeNet – Bot that promoted crime was banned by Discord
- DarkSploit – Malicious bot that stole user data was removed
These showcase the rare cases of bots engaging in damaging activities outside Discord’s policies. They led to bot developers being banned and new restrictions introduced.
The future of Discord bots
Bots on Discord will likely continue growing in capability and complexity. Some possible developments include:
- Smarter AI bots engaging users in conversation
- Expanded moderation abilities like automatic content screening
- Integrations with outside platforms like Reddit and Twitch
- Advanced gaming bots for new Discord games
- Tools to manage server communities and analyze chat data
However, Discord will aim to balance this innovation with appropriate bot oversight. Stricter approval and bot ID verification processes may be introduced to ensure security and prevent abuse as bots become more sophisticated.
Summary
Discord bots are generally legal and encouraged, if they follow the platform’s developer policies. While Discord has rules governing bot activities, there is significant freedom in how bots can enhance the user experience. As bots continue evolving in complexity, Discord will likely adapt its policies to ensure bots remain secure and compliant. However, for the foreseeable future, responsible bot innovation has a home on Discord.
Conclusion
In summary, Discord bots are permissible and encouraged on the platform if they comply with Discord’s terms of service and community guidelines. Bots provide many beneficial functions to server owners and users, and allow developers to be creative in enhancing the Discord experience. While subject to oversight and restrictions, bots are a sanctioned part of the Discord ecosystem. As long as they are operating in good faith and not harming users, bots have a legitimate place on both public and private Discord servers now and into the future.