That's exactly the question - how does a free communication app achieve a multi-billion dollar valuation despite not having ads or directly selling user data?

Discord's business model relies on attracting a massive user base to secure substantial investments and potentially a lucrative acquisition. We've seen again and again and again what happens once acquisition takes place.

Also a big existing investor in Discord is Tecent which, under Chinese law, could grant the government access to Discord's extensive user data.

So yeah.. it's not about features it's about freedom.