Selective Audio Privacy for Discord Streams: API-Based Control in Streaming Platforms

[blixten85]

Let's say a user is streaming a game in Discord for their group, and someone else is, in turn, streaming that Discord stream to Twitch or YouTube. In this situation, everyone's voices will be broadcast on Twitch or YouTube. However, if someone in the group is comfortable with their voice being heard on Discord but not on Twitch or YouTube, programs like OBS should be able to block that specific user’s voice from the external stream.

I imagine this would need to be done through an API. It would first require Discord to provide this API, and then streaming programs like OBS would need to implement the feature in their software.

How does this idea sound?

[blixten85]

In addition, if a user never wants their voice to be streamed to another platform, there should be an option to set this as a default preference. Streaming programs could then detect and respect this setting, so that the user doesn't need to manually request exclusion each time someone is streaming to an external platform. This would be especially useful for users who may not even be aware that their voice is being broadcast beyond Discord.

Moreover, additional features could include a pop-up notification when a stream is started, asking users whether they consent to having their voice included in the broadcast. This would allow them to actively choose whether to participate in the stream each time it begins.

[RealAlphabet]

Let's say a user is streaming a game in Discord for their group, and someone else is, in turn, streaming that Discord stream to Twitch or YouTube. In this situation, everyone's voices will be broadcast on Twitch or YouTube. However, if someone in the group is comfortable with their voice being heard on Discord but not on Twitch or YouTube, programs like OBS should be able to block that specific user’s voice from the external stream.

I imagine this would need to be done through an API. It would first require Discord to provide this API, and then streaming programs like OBS would need to implement the feature in their software.

How does this idea sound?

The idea is definitely interesting, but realistically, it's unlikely that Discord would implement such a feature due to the complexity of managing audio streams on a per-user basis across third-party platforms like Twitch or YouTube. The integration would require tight cooperation between Discord and streaming software, which isn't easy to achieve.

However, there’s already a working alternative using Discord bots! Here's how it can be done:

1. Set the voice volume of all participants to zero within Discord itself.

2. Have a bot join the voice channel to individually record the voices of each participant.

3. The bot can then mix and stream the voices of specific participants to your sound card, giving you control over which voices are included in the external stream.

While this method involves more setup and friction than a native solution, it’s possible. I’ve implemented this on a Discord server myself, and while it’s a bit tricky, it works.

[blixten85]

Yeah ok, I'm just putting it out there for people to think the thought at least.
Whether it will happen or not, achievable or not i don't know anything about.

Your idea does not sound too shabby though and can be implemented right away, even if it sounds a bit tricky (as you mention) for the average user. 😄