Brazil has sued Discord over alleged failures to protect children and teenagers on the chat platform, seeking about $97 million in damages.
The lawsuit, filed by the Brazilian government on Wednesday, follows unsuccessful discussions with Discord over measures intended to protect young users. Authorities say the platform has not done enough to comply with Brazilian laws.
The government wants Discord to introduce stronger safeguards for children, teenagers and women using its services. It is also seeking compensation for what it described as collective moral damages.
Brazil Targets Discord Over Child Protection
Brazilian authorities have raised concerns about Discord’s age verification and user protection systems. The government says the platform still has weaknesses that could expose young users to harmful situations.
Discord rejected the accusations and described the lawsuit as excessively harsh. The company also said the case does not accurately reflect its efforts to comply with Brazilian regulations.
The dispute intensified in July after a case in Mato Grosso do Sul drew national attention. A 13-year-old girl died by suicide during a livestream after other teenagers allegedly pressured her to harm herself.
Brazilian authorities say four teenagers and one adult have been arrested in connection with the case. The incident triggered renewed calls for stronger safeguards on online platforms.
Discord Faces Pressure After Livestream Case
On August 12, Brazil’s National Data Protection Agency ordered Discord to suspend its livestream services. First Lady Rosangela Lula da Silva also called for stronger action against the platform.
Discord subsequently said it would stop streaming services and take additional steps to improve safety for teenagers.
However, Brazilian officials said the company continued to show shortcomings in age verification and user protection. The government has now taken the dispute to court.
Brazil Tightens Rules for Social Media
The Discord lawsuit comes as Brazilian authorities increase scrutiny of major technology companies over child safety and privacy.
Critics argue that social media companies have placed user engagement and profits ahead of the safety of young people. Technology firms, meanwhile, say they cannot control every piece of content posted by users or every way people interact with their platforms.
Brazil has also taken action against other major platforms. On Tuesday, the National Data Protection Agency fined TikTok $30 million over alleged child privacy violations.
The latest actions indicate that Brazilian regulators are taking a tougher approach to protecting children and teenagers online.
