Discord’s livestreaming feature has been suspended by Brazil’s data protection authority (ANPD) after a young girl was reportedly pushed to commit suicide during a broadcast on the platform.
Discord’s “Go Live” function enables users to participate in real-time audio or video chats, and users may form and join groups according to their interests.
Discord Ordered to Suspend Livestreaming in Brazil
Discord informed the media that it is “committed to user safety” and is “thoughtfully reviewing” the ANPD’s directive.
According to a representative, “groups or individuals that promote or encourage violence have no place on Discord.
“The secret, invite-only server in question was quickly inspected and shut down immediately after it was created, and we are still assisting law authorities with its investigation.”
The ANPD reportedly discovered that Discord’s absence of real-time access to broadcast content hinders automatic infringement identification, according to Reuters.
The website is famous among gamers and has over 200 million monthly active users. It may be accessed on a desktop computer or thru a mobile app.
According to a representative for Discord, the inquiry revealed evidence that the illegal conduct “was coordinated on other platforms before the Discord server was created” and continued “after the individuals involved were banned from Discord.”
According to reports, five youths have been taken into custody in relation to the killing of the teenage girl.
Discord now has three days to comply with the suspension and ten business days to file an appeal.
The platform may be fined up to 50 million reais ($9.67 million) for each infraction.
Brazil Tightens Rules for Social Media Platforms
The suspension, according to the ANPD, will last until Discord demonstrates that it has put in place “adequate protective measures for minors,” which may involve age verification checks.
The social media site X was outlawed in Brazil in August 2024 for not paying fines that had already been imposed and for missing a deadline set by a Supreme Court judge to appoint a new legal agent in the nation.
In October 2024, the Supreme Court lifted its prohibition after it agreed to establish a local representation as mandated by Brazilian law and paid fines of 28 million reais ($5.1 million; £3.8 million).
