Brazil's Data Protection Authority Suspends Discord Livestreaming Features
2 sources across 2 countries · Brazil · India
Who reported this
- Folha de S.Paulo
- MediaNama
What the colours mean
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- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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Every outlet covering this story shares the same political lean; read with that in mind.
Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) has ordered Discord to suspend its livestreaming and video sharing features nationwide. The agency gave the company three business days to demonstrate compliance or face fines of up to 50 million reais per violation. The suspension specifically targets the Go Live tool and similar features, though the platform remains otherwise accessible in Brazil.
The measure follows an investigation into the death of a 13 year old girl in Mato Grosso do Sul. Police report that the teenager was encouraged by members of an online group to commit suicide during a 45 minute livestream. Five teenagers and one adult have been arrested in connection with the case. Authorities also intervened to save a second girl who was reportedly about to attempt suicide on a livestream.
The ANPD stated that Discord failed to prevent minors from accessing content promoting self harm and violence. The regulator highlighted that Discord cannot access livestream content in real time, relying instead on user reports and automated systems that the agency described as flawed. Additionally, the ANPD noted that changes made to the Go Live feature in early March reduced protections after the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents (Digital ECA) took effect.
Discord has called the decision premature and expressed disappointment, stating that it does not tolerate individuals who promote violence. The company noted it is cooperating with authorities and had previously introduced age assurance systems for Brazilian users on March 9.
Legal experts are divided on the nature of the suspension. Some argue the ANPD has the authority to take preliminary measures given the urgency and gravity of the violations. Others suggest the measure may be contestable because the Digital ECA reserves the suspension of activities for the judiciary, whereas the ANPD is a recently established regulatory body whose specific competencies are still being organized.
How each side framed it
- Centre
- The center lean outlets focused on the legal debate regarding the ANPD's regulatory authority and the specific child safety failures that triggered the suspension.
Sources
- Centre Folha de S.Paulo: Podcast explains crackdown on Discord and discusses pressures and political repercussions
- Centre Folha de S.Paulo: ANPD has power to oversee Discord, but competencies are still debatable, say specialists
- Centre MediaNama: Data protection authority suspends Discord livestreams in Brazil after teen’s suicide
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.