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Some things are better left in the past.

Behind the scenes of one of the biggest social media platforms has been an epic struggle with a valuable payout — user data. But not just any user data mind you. This struggle allegedly involves Nexon Korea Corporation, a South Korean video game maker, trying to obtain the data of copyright infringers on the Discord platform.

Nexon Korea Corporation is behind well-known video games such as MapleStory, MapleStory2, Sudden Attack, The Kingdom of the Winds, Dungeon & Fighter, Grand Chase, Dave the Diver, and Elsword. And it seems that Nexon has had multiple criminal copyright infringement complaints against other Korean servers that players use to run Nexon's games, including one such culprit who is currently on the run and wanted by Interpol.

Needless to say, Nexon has no qualms about using the US court system to pursue copyright infringement suspects as well, but after delivering two such subpoenas to Discord, the online service provider has apparently had enough and is fighting back in the name of users’ privacy and free speech rights.

Discord and privacy

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Valery Brozhinsky)

Discord hasn’t had the best relationship with user privacy in the past. Back in 2023, it was forced to walk back changes to its privacy policy when it first introduced AI integration into its servers including Clyde, AutoMod AI, Conversation Summarizes, Avatar Remix, and more.

Originally it had removed language from a previous version of its policy, which then was added back to its current version as well as the following statement: “We may build features that help users engage with voice and video content, like create or send short recordings.”

Then it was found out in 2024 that four billion Discord chats, made by roughly 620 million users, logged into more than 14,000 servers had been harvested by a site called Spy.pet and set to be auctioned off to the highest bidders.

In a statement, Discord said that it would be investigating the matter to determine whether it violates its Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. However, considering there’s been no word since, we’re still not privy to the results of that investigation.

The battle for user data

(Image credit: Shutterstock / metamorworks)

Despite these privacy hiccups, Discord is now embroiled in a legal battle with Nexon Korea Corporation over the latter demanding the former continue to hand over data of users suspected of online copyright infringement.

According to a report from TorrentFreak, the Korean company obtained a DMCA subpoena requiring Discord to hand over such information and is now claiming that it refuses to cooperate with the US federal government court order.

Discord, however, asserts that it’s already complied with a previous order made back in October 2023. While Discord initially resisted, both parties reached an agreement to confidentially disclose basic subscriber information concerning a total of 64 Discord user IDs.

Then Nexon returned in May 2024 with a new subpoena requiring Discord to disclose the information of roughly two dozen alleged copyright infringers related to the MapleStory game. Discord once again complied and sent over that data on June 13.

In July, however, Discord decided to draw a line and sent Nexon a letter from its attorneys, with the Texas law firm Haltom & Doan:

“Now, you appear to be demanding additional information for yet more User IDs, which you allege infringe one of the same copyrights you have already asserted. You are attempting to renegotiate a deal that has already been struck and fulfilled. Your actions are improper. Discord is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the law, but acting as your copyright assertion partner is not one of them.”

It then made a list of twenty-two objections and reservations, with one being the desire to protect user privacy and their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. The letter further urged Nexon to withdraw its demands and to cease sending any similar subpoenas moving forward.

Instead, Nexon filed a motion to compel at a Texas federal court just last week, asking the court to enter an order requiring Discord to produce the requested user data. Discord is expected to file a formal motion against the subpoena in response to this request.

What does this mean for users and online service providers?

(Image credit: Pexels)

There are several things this whole legal battle means and the broader impact of such battles on future DMCA subpoena cases like this one.

First, it’s a battle of how privy companies are to user data when it comes to copyright infringement allegations which, as stated above, boils down to whether such claims can be seen as a violation of privacy and First Amendment rights. The scope of such requests is especially important since it could greatly affect how much data is collected in the wake of such judgments, as well as what could constitute copyright infringement in the first place that would warrant a subpoena.

There’s also the impact that this could have on online service providers and their own compliance with such DMCA subpoena cases. This creates natural friction between providers and their users who may not feel secure using the online service after user data is disclosed under subpoena. Also, these online service providers being served DMCA subpoenas are forced to comply using their own time, money, and resources to do so, which cuts into those three aspects being used for the service itself.

As such, this is an incredibly complex issue and the results of this case have far-reaching consequences for what companies can demand of online service providers, how much or little will users actually be protected in these cases, and whether online service providers are required to comply with these demands.

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The Maxfree K3 is a compact 82-key mechanical keyboard (83 keys for the UK version) with a intriguing twist - it has a integrated 13-inch touch screen attached.

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A choice of ports

The K3's mechanical keyboard sports RGB backlighting and supports 20 different lighting effects. It uses PBT keycaps, known for their durability and resistance to wear, with hot-swappable Gateron Yellow switches which deliver a smooth 50g actuation force.

The device includes two USB 3.0 ports, one Type-C, a PD interface, and an SD card reader. It also features a built-in M.2 slot compatible with 2280, 2260, and 2242 sized SSDs for additional storage. A pair of stereo speakers is built into the design, and the volume can be controlled using the media knob located at the top right side of the keyboard.

The Maxfree K3 is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android devices and comes bundled with several accessories: a Type-C to Type-C cable, a Type-A to Type-C cable, and a Type-C to Type-A/HDMI splitter cable. It also includes a storage bag, a disassembly piece, a keycap puller, a power adapter, and three silicone clasps for cable management.

Originally priced at $599, it’s currently available for $219.99, with an additional 5% discount available through a promotional offer.

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On May 10 this year, the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years occurred, delivering a northern lights display that reached parts of the world it rarely does. I was lucky enough to learn that it was happening with enough time to venture out with my camera gear, and it was a truly memorable evening.

The G5-rated geomagnetic storm was so strong that the aurora borealis could be seen even where I live in the south of the UK, dancing in the night sky and illuminating the landscape with other-worldly hues. I wrote about my experiences of that night, pitting a mirrorless camera against a smartphone to see which could get the best Northern Lights pictures.

More recently, on October 11, there was another chance to see the aurora, but sadly on this occasion I only discovered that it had taken place the next day. And yes, the images on my news and social feeds were spectacular.

The night sky had been clear, I was at home with no particular plans, and I had learned a thing or two about photographing the lights from my first experience that I wanted to put into practice should I ever be lucky enough to see them again – so I was heartbroken to have missed out.

A few days after the event, as I watched a steady stream of spectacular photos appear in my social media feeds that only heightened my disappointment, Meta piped up on Threads with a sentiment that fell completely flat, and worse.

"POV: you missed the northern lights IRL, so you made your own with Meta AI" read Meta's post on Threads, together with an AI-generated image of the aurora over famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge (see the main image above). Cue a Meta roasting.

It's OK to lose some

I was one of those people that missed the northern lights IRL. However, even though I was disappointed to have missed out, especially after seeing so many incredible photos from photographers around the world and especially the UK, I'm not going to fake the experience of capturing the real thing, whether it's with AI or old-school Photoshop fakery.

For me, such events primarily are about being there, and experiencing them in the moment. I echo the sentiment of my colleague Phil Berne, who gave up trying to capture April's rare total eclipse in the US with an array of camera gear to ultimately enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime event.

I took this picture in May 2024 during the most vivid Northern Lights display in 20 years. (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

When I witnessed the northern lights for the first time back in May (you can see one of my photos above), there was an otherworldly feel to the night, and the atmosphere was electric. I got distracted taking photos and timelapses, much to my own detriment. I wish I had taken a photo or two that I was pleased with artistically, then put my camera away and spent more of my time simply soaking it in. I don't need a photo to prove I was somewhere, sometime, especially if it limits my enjoyment of the moment.

On the most recent occasion I missed out, but I'm okay with that; you win some, you lose some. But, if you listen to Meta, you don't ever have to lose some, thanks to the magic of AI-powered photo editing. I do not echo that sentiment. For the less secure, FOMO is what Meta has peddled ever since it was born as Facebook. Yet Meta's post last week wasn't just in poor taste – there's a darker side to it.

It's not OK to fake it

Look, I get it, Meta's post on Threads was simply a way to show off its fresh AI image-generator skills. But the message it contained didn't just go down like a lead balloon, it had a sinister element to it: you can fake being at an event with AI.

It's one thing to use photo-editing tools creatively – though image manipulation has been a gray area ever since the arrival Photoshop – but to fake elements of real events with AI editing and image generation? That's not okay. Once you start using Meta AI's tools to fake reality, where does it end? The creation of fake news (and potentially catastrophic consequences) is just one example of the darker side of AI.

AI-powered photo editors and image generation can be delightful tools to use, helping you to realize your creative vision with ease. In and of itself, adding the northern lights to photos actually looks like a good use of Meta AI in that you can get reasonable results (however scientifically inaccurate they may be). But displaying these images in a way that tricks people into believing that you were there? That's a no from me.

In the wrong hands – and there's no control over which hands will be using it – AI image generation can be all too convincing, to the point where we simply don't know what's real. If Meta is actively promoting the deceptive use of AI image generation when it should be leading the fight against it, what hope do we have?

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