Brazil’s data protection agency launches investigation into Discord

Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) has initiated an investigation into the Discord platform, focusing on alleged failures to protect children and adolescents. The probe was sparked by reports of a 13-year-old girl's self-harm and suicide, streamed live on Discord on July 22. The investigation will assess whether Discord complied with the Digital Statute of the Child and Adolescent (Digital ECA), particularly in implementing measures to prevent and address minors' exposure to self-harm and suicide content.

Concerns also include the absence of age verification processes, failure to remove inappropriate content, and non-compliance with reporting obligations to authorities. ANPD gave Discord five days to furnish information on existing safeguards against serious violations against children and adolescents. Additionally, ANPD alerted that penalties of up to BRL 50 million may be imposed for the alleged violations.

Members of the Attorney-General's Office held a meeting with Discord representatives on Friday, who reportedly expressed readiness to meet legal requirements and rectify the identified shortcomings. The case is part of Operation Lívia, coordinated by the Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul and executed with assistance from the National Secretariat of Public Security's Cyber Operations Laboratory.