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This news cluster focuses on a former Discord employee’s insights into the platform’s data retention policies and their implications for political activism. The employee reveals that Discord can retain all user messages, raising concerns about potential surveillance and legal repercussions for users engaging in political discussions. The second paragraph provides details about the former employee’s role within Discord’s Trust and Safety team, highlighting their experience in handling sensitive issues such as child safety and investigations into potential illegal activities. The employee stresses the importance of using more secure platforms, such as Signal, for organizing political activism to protect user privacy and avoid potential legal ramifications.

Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for leaking classified military documents on Discord. Teixeira’s actions caused significant damage to national security by revealing sensitive information about US military operations in Ukraine and other countries. He shared documents about Ukrainian and Russian troop movements, military equipment, and Russia’s attempts to acquire weapons from Egypt and Turkey. This leak had a significant impact on international relations and put US military personnel at risk. Despite Teixeira’s remorse and apology, the court recognized the gravity of his actions and imposed a substantial sentence. The case highlights the dangers of online leaks and the need for strict security measures to protect classified information. It underscores the importance of responsible social media usage and the consequences of sharing sensitive information.