Following the alleged encouragement of a 13-year-old’s suicide during a broadcast on its platform, Discord has been ordered by Brazil’s top data protection authority to suspend its livestreaming feature nationwide.
This directive, issued by the Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD), marks a first for Brazil and is part of a larger probe into child protection issues on social media. Discord could face severe financial sanctions if it does not act swiftly to comply with the new requirements.
ANPD Orders Suspension of Livestreaming Feature
The incident prompting this action dates back to 7 August, when authorities launched an investigation following the death of a 13-year-old girl. Investigators reported that during a livestream in a private Discord group, or “server,” the minor was pressured by peers to commit suicide.
According to the ANPD, Discord’s real-time “Go Live” broadcast tool prevents the company from monitoring live content, either manually or through automated mechanisms. This inability to supervise broadcasts, the agency said, creates significant safety challenges and exposes minors to potential harm on the platform.
Company’s Response to the Regulatory Action
In response, Discord reiterated its dedication to keeping the community safe. The company stated it is “thoughtfully reviewing” the ANPD’s decision, noting that “groups or individuals who promote or encourage violence have no place on Discord.” Representatives explained that Discord took rapid action, investigating and shutting down the invite-only server involved soon after learning of its existence. The company continues to work closely with law enforcement during the investigation.
Discord further reported that its investigation uncovered signs the criminal activity started on different platforms before the controversial server was created. Even after the implicated users were banned from Discord, the behavior persisted elsewhere. Authorities have arrested five teenagers linked to the tragedy.
Penalties and Compliance Requirements
The ANPD’s order requires Discord to halt its livestreaming feature in Brazil within three days, though the company is entitled to appeal within a window of ten business days. Non-compliance could result in penalties of up to 50 million reais—approximately $9.67 million—per violation.
The suspension imposed by the ANPD will remain until Discord convinces the regulator it has established “adequate protective measures for minors,” such as tougher age verification processes or additional safety protocols.
Discord, which boasts over 200 million monthly active users globally, is used widely by gaming and online user communities for text, audio, and video interactions. Its “Go Live” feature, available both through the desktop site and mobile application, enables real-time participation in calls and live broadcasts.
Growing Regulatory Pressure in Brazil
This move against Discord is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny on digital platforms in Brazil, as noted in a Reuters, external report. The government has been pressing tech companies to enhance the moderation of harmful content and better protect children.
In August 2024, the social platform X (previously Twitter) faced a countrywide ban for not settling fines and failing to appoint a necessary legal representative. After addressing these issues—paying fines totaling 28 million reais ($5.1 million) and naming a local representative—X was reinstated in October 2024 in compliance with Brazilian regulations.
These recent enforcement actions highlight Brazil’s evolving oversight of technology companies regarding child safety and data protection. The way Discord meets the ANPD’s demands and pursues any appeals could become a benchmark for how digital regulation unfolds in the country.