Brazil sues Discord for $100 million over child safety failures

Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) is taking Discord to court for nearly $100 million, accusing the messaging platform of failing to protect children from harmful content. The government is demanding the platform adopt significantly stronger safeguards.

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The lawsuit seeks to compel the Discord platform to adopt effective measures to protect children, adolescents, and women in the digital environment.

The lawsuit, filed in the capital Brasilia, comes after negotiations with Discord failed, with the government deeming the company's proposals insufficient to address identified risks. The legal action aims to compel Discord to implement effective measures for protecting children, adolescents, and women in the digital space. The collective moral damages sought amount to R$ 500 million ($97 million).

This move by Brazil follows a tragic incident where a 13-year-old girl was allegedly goaded into suicide during a livestream on Discord. Authorities arrested five teenagers and an adult in connection with the July suicide in central-western Brazil. An official from the Justice Ministry's Ciberlab intelligence unit stated that the teens allegedly encouraged the girl to kill an animal and then herself when she failed.

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It also requests that the company be ordered to pay R$ 500 million ($97 million) in compensation for collective moral damages.

Discord, which boasts over 90 million daily active users, had agreed to suspend livestreams in Brazil on August 17, stating its commitment to making the platform safer for teens. However, Brasilia maintains that the platform still exhibits flaws in its age verification and user protection mechanisms, exposing users to serious dangers.

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We believe there is a better way and remain committed to working with the relevant authorities to reach a solution that strengthens safety on the platform while allowing Brazilians to continue using Discord.

Brazil has adopted a stringent approach to social media platforms, targeting disinformation and requiring users under 16 to link their accounts to those of their parents. The ANPD recently fined TikTok nearly $30 million for similar child safety lapses, signaling a tougher enforcement stance. The agency is also reviewing the compliance of 22 other social media networks and platforms with a new law protecting children and teens online.

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I think we can expect much stronger enforcement action.