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Brazil sues Discord for $97 million over child safety concerns
The Brazilian government has filed a collective lawsuit against the chat platform Discord, seeking approximately 500 million reais (roughly 97 million USD) in moral damages. The legal action follows the death of a 13-year-old girl who live-streamed her suicide on the platform, an incident that has sparked intense debate regarding digital child protection.
In response to the incident, the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) ordered the suspension of Discord’s live-streaming features to mitigate risks to minors. This measure aligns with the Digital Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA Digital), which requires platforms to be designed with safety safeguards to prevent the incitement of self-harm and suicide.
Discord has criticized the legal measures as “disproportionate,” arguing that the company maintains a strong commitment to security and compliance with Brazilian law. The company also stated that evidence suggests the teenager's death may have involved other platforms, characterizing the event as a “multi-platform phenomenon.”
Efforts to reach a Conduct Adjustment Term (TAC) between the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General's Office, and Discord have reportedly stalled, as government officials deemed the company's proposed safety measures insufficient.
Entities
Advocacia-Geral da União · Agência Nacional de Proteção de Dados · Attorney General's Office of Brazil · Brazil · Discord · Jorge Messias · National Data Protection Authority
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The ANPD ordered the suspension of Discord's 'Go Live' functionality to protect children and adolescents. actualidad.rt.com · intervozes.org.br · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The AGU filed a lawsuit seeking approximately 500 million reais in compensation from Discord. actualidad.rt.com · www.metropoles.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Negotiations between the government and Discord to reach a Conduct Adjustment Term failed because the company's proposals were deemed insufficient. www.metropoles.com · oglobo.globo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The lawsuit seeks an indemnity of approximately 97 million USD (500 million reais) for moral damages. actualidad.rt.com · www.metropoles.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Discord claims evidence indicates the teenager's death occurred on a different platform, describing the incident as a multi-platform phenomenon. www.metropoles.com