Chat platform Discord reported to be mulling sale

The US-based Discord chat platform popular with video game players is exploring offering itself for sale for more than $10 billion, reports said Tuesday.

Interest from potential buyers prompted Discord to consider it options, according to tech news website VentureBeat.

Discord told AFP it does not comment on "rumors or speculation."

VentureBeat cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter as saying Discord has seen interest from potential suitors.

Tech giant Microsoft was billed in US media reports as the top contender to buy Discord, which is already a communication service commonly used by lovers of its Xbox video games.

San Francisco-based platform launched some six years ago for video game fans to communicate on while playing, but has since become a venue where friends get together to chat, virtually watch films or even work.

Use of Discord has soared during the pandemic, as people turn to the internet to stay connected while keeping their distance to reduce chances of exposure to COVID-19.

It has also been used by US conspiracy and white supremacist movements after some were banned from mainstream social media platforms due to election-related violence.