Brazil

Brazil Sues Discord for $97 Million Over Child Safety Failures

Is this a necessary stand for child safety or an overreaching punishment?

Published AUG 27

Brazil Sues Discord for $97 Million Over Child Safety Failures

Story

Above: A photo illustration of the Discord logo displayed on a smartphone screen. Image credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

The Facts

Brazil's federal government filed a lawsuit against the popular online chat platform Discord on Tuesday, seeking R$500 million ($97 million) in collective moral damages over alleged failures to protect children, women and animals in digital spaces.
Government of Brazil
The Washington Times
Al Jazeera
It follows the death of a 13-year-old girl in Mato Grosso do Sul in July, who was allegedly pressured into committing self-harm and eventually suicide during a Discord livestream. Police have arrested five teenagers in connection with the case.
The Straits Times
BBC News
Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) subsequently ordered Discord on Aug. 12 to suspend its livestreaming feature, citing evidence that it had failed to adopt reasonable measures to protect minors. Discord complied on Aug. 17 but later filed an appeal on Monday.
Government of Brazil
Discord
Valor International
The ANPD also purportedly found that Discord made technical changes to its "Go Live" feature in early March, around the time Brazil's Digital Statute of the Child and Adolescent took effect, making the feature less protective of minors than before.
Government of Brazil
Consequently, along with financial penalties, the government asked the court to impose requirements on Discord that it says will improve online safety, including age verification beyond self-declared birthdays, linking accounts of users under 16 to a legal guardian and establishing a legal representative and registered office in Brazil.
Government of Brazil
TNW
Discord, in response, called the lawsuit "disproportionate" and stated that it did not accurately reflect its approach to safety and compliance with Brazilian law. The company says it was negotiating in good faith with the authorities, offering a package of technical changes and financial investment.
Independent
TNW

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-government narrative

This lawsuit has long been coming, given Discord's repeated failures to protect children in Brazil. Its negligence is evident in its weakening of protections for minors and refusal to adopt practices that could have shielded them from harm, in violation of Brazilian law. The government's legal challenge will remind this platform, and any others, that it has a legal duty to keep kids safe.

Government of Brazil

Government-critical narrative

Brazil's legal action against Discord is wholly inappropriate. In light of the tragic events in July, Discord actively cooperated with law enforcement and worked in good faith with the Brazilian authorities to comply with their demands. Discord is committed to protecting its users, especially those most vulnerable, from all harms. It is a pity that this is not recognized.

Discord