Brazil Sues Online Platform Discord over Alleged Failures in Children Protection

Brazil has filed a lawsuit against Discord, a popular gaming communication platform, seeking $97 million in damages, claiming the company failed to protect children online. This follows a July suicide of a teenager linked to Discord. The lawsuit, filed by Brazil's Solicitor-General's office on behalf of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, alleges severe gaps in Discord's age-verification systems and user safety protections.

Discord's Brazilian subsidiary disputes the lawsuit, calling it "disproportionate" and stating it does not accurately reflect the company's approach to safety and compliance with Brazilian law. The government is also seeking immediate improvements from Discord, including stronger parental controls, enhanced cooperation with local law enforcement, and the deployment of automated tools to detect and remove dangerous content.

Discord faces similar legal pressure globally, including in the U.S. The government's legal action comes amid broader efforts worldwide to regulate internet use by minors, a topic Brazil's first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva has also advocated for, citing the recent suicide case.