Discord calls have finally introduced end-to-end encryption, but your direct messages have not been included.

      Discord spent three years developing one of the most comprehensive cross-platform encryption systems ever released, but it does not extend to the part of the app that is essential for everyday communication.

      Discord has just finalized a project it began in 2023, and while the outcome is truly remarkable, there is a significant caveat involved.

      As of early March 2026, all standard voice and video calls on Discord are now end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) by default, without the need for users to enable any settings. This encryption utilizes DAVE, Discord’s own open-source protocol.

      Nearly three years after the initiative began, every voice and video call on @Discord (with the exception of Stage channels) is now secured with end-to-end encryption (E2EE). No opt-in is required. Achieving this smoothly across web, desktop, mobile, apps/bots, consoles, and our Social SDK—without sacrificing performance—is impressive. — Mark Smith (@zorkian) May 18, 2026

      Which platforms support E2EE for Discord calls?

      The protocol encompasses all platforms where Discord operates: Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and web browsers. Notably, Discord had to delve into Firefox’s codebase to fix an upstream bug in order to implement this feature.

      While other messaging apps like WhatsApp also offer E2EE for calls, Discord's deployment is distinct because of its extensive reach. Implementing E2EE across various devices and operating systems simultaneously is an achievement on its own.

      Despite the promising rollout, the platform has left some aspects unaddressed for now. Your text messages, which many users rely on Discord for, still remain unencrypted. Discord’s VP of Core Technology has clearly stated that there are no current plans to modify this situation.

      What’s the downside?

      Does the platform have a justification for this? Yes, technically speaking. The primary reason is that features such as bots, search functionality, automated moderation, and other community tools are designed with the assumption that text can be read.

      Redesigning all that around encryption will take several years, so it cannot be resolved immediately. Additionally, Stage channels are excluded since they are meant for public broadcasts, and there seems to be little necessity for encryption in that context.

      For years, Discord has faced scrutiny from privacy advocates regarding its always-readable text history, which contrasts with its image as a platform for intimate communications and communities. The DAVE rollout should alleviate some of that concern.

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      AI may have just received a literary accolade. It pains me to see it undermine our appreciation for literature.

      I find it challenging to come to terms with this news. As someone who has cherished stories since childhood, flourishing on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Terry Pratchett, J.R.R. Tolkien, and other esteemed authors, witnessing an AI-written story receive a distinguished writing award is hard to swallow. If you're unaware, the winners of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize were announced, revealing that three of the five winning regional stories were written entirely or partially by AI. This appears to be the consensus among readers. As an enthusiastic reader and an amateur fiction writer, this revelation impacts me more profoundly than any other instance of AI infiltrating our lives.

      Canva and Adobe are integrating into Gemini to enhance interactivity.

      Adobe and Canva are connecting with Google’s assistant, anticipating that creative endeavors begin with prompts instead of app icons.

      Canva and Adobe are deepening their integration with Google Gemini, allowing the assistant to play a more significant role before users engage with a design application. Adobe is set to introduce its "Adobe for creativity" connector to Gemini in the coming weeks, enabling users to describe tasks and transmit them via Adobe tools for imaging, design, and video. Canva is currently rolling out its Connected App for Gemini in select English-speaking markets, with broader availability on the horizon.

      AI has been found to pass the Turing Test in live chats and can appear more human than us—this is unsettling.

      Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that GPT-4.5 was perceived as human 73% of the time during live conversations.

      AI has proven capable of passing the Turing Test in real-time chats, and the latest findings are chilling. In a study conducted by UC San Diego, GPT-4.5 surpassed actual participants in convincing judges that an actual person was present in the conversation. This setup was more difficult to dismiss than standard testing methods, as judges assessed real-time exchanges rather than static prompts and had to make quick judgments based solely on conversation.