Brazil sues chat platform Discord over failure to protect child users

The Brazilian government has filed a lawsuit against the online gaming platform Discord, demanding 500 million reais ($97 million) in damages for alleged failures to protect children online. This follows a July suicide case linked to the platform. Brazil's Solicitor-General's office claims Discord's alleged collective psychological harm is the basis for the damages sought.

The government's lawsuit highlights severe gaps in Discord's age-verification systems and user safety protections, alleging direct violations of Brazilian laws concerning the special protections and safety of vulnerable groups, including children and teenagers. The government is also requesting Discord to enhance parental controls, cooperate with local law enforcement, and use automated tools to detect and remove dangerous content.

Discord denies the allegations, stating the government's move is "disproportional" and doesn't accurately reflect the company's approach to safety and compliance with Brazilian law. This lawsuit is part of Brazil's broader efforts to regulate internet use by minors, following similar actions in other countries like Australia, Canada, and Indonesia.