Brazil’s federal prosecutors reinforce government request for urgent Discord safeguards

Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has reinforced the federal government’s request for urgent child-safety measures on Discord.

The prosecutors want the platform required to preserve records and data related to events that preceded the death of a 13-year-old girl. They also called for measures to stop investigated channels from being recreated and banned accounts from returning.

The office asked Discord to submit a compliance plan within 30 days. The plan would need effectiveness indicators, audit mechanisms to verify users’ ages, parental supervision tools and measures to prevent risky contacts.

In its filing to the court, the MPF said there were signs that Discord’s protection and moderation tools had not worked effectively. “There is also information that the communities under investigation quickly reorganized after accounts and servers were banned,” the office said. “Delays in taking action could compromise both the safety of potential victims and the preservation of evidence and identification of those responsible.”

The MPF supported maintaining a decision by Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority that suspended Discord livestreams. It said live broadcasts should resume only after the platform complies with the agency’s requirements and safeguards.

“

There is also information that the communities under investigation quickly reorganized after accounts and servers were banned. Delays in taking action could compromise both the safety of potential victims and the preservation of evidence and identification of those responsible.