Discord halts livestreams in Brazil after watchdog cites child safety failures
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Discord, the popular platform for gamers to communicate online, said on Monday it suspended its livestreams in Brazil after criticism that it failed to protect children and adolescents. The move takes place in the wake of a suicide case. Brazil’s government under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the country’s Supreme Court have tried to regulate…
Discord, a widely-used gaming platform for online communication, suspended livestreams in Brazil on Monday following criticism of its failure to protect children and adolescents. This action follows a tragic suicide case that has drawn attention to the platform's digital safety measures for minors. In Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Supreme Court have been working on internet regulations for young users, with varying degrees of success.
Meanwhile, other nations like Australia, Canada, and Indonesia are also grappling with similar issues.
The decision to suspend livestreams in Brazil was prompted by a directive from Brazil's national data protection agency last week. Discord confirmed they are currently discussing potential solutions to resume the affected features for their Brazilian users. The company reiterated their commitment to collaborating with Brazilian policymakers to create a safer online environment for all users.
Tragically, in July, an underage girl in Mato Grosso do Sul state allegedly forced herself to commit suicide during a livestream on Discord. This incident has sparked increased scrutiny on the platform's safety protocols. Brazil's first lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, called for the platform to be taken offline, citing the case. In a ceremony in Brasilia, Janja urged the platform to take immediate action, stating her concern over the 13-year-old girl's self-harming broadcast on Discord.
As a result of this incident, five teenagers were arrested in connection with the girl's death, according to a statement from Brazil's justice ministry on August 4.
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