**Discord Ordered to Suspend Livestreams in Brazil Following Tragic Incident**
Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) has mandated that Discord, the popular messaging and voice chat platform, suspend its livestreaming feature. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident involving a 13-year-old girl who reportedly faced encouragement to take her own life during a livestream broadcast on the platform.
The investigation by the ANPD was initiated on August 7, shortly after the girl's death, which raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place on Discord. The platform, which allows users to create and join interest-based groups and engage in real-time voice and video calls through its "Go Live" feature, has over 200 million monthly active users, making it particularly popular among gamers and online communities.
According to reports, the ANPD found that Discord lacks real-time access to livestream content, which hinders its ability to detect violations automatically. In response to the order, a spokesperson for Discord stated that the company is "thoughtfully reviewing" the ANPD's directive and emphasized its commitment to user safety. The spokesperson reiterated that "groups or individuals who promote or encourage violence have no place on Discord," and noted that the company swiftly investigated and shut down the private server involved in the incident shortly after it was created.
The investigation revealed that the criminal activities related to the girl's death were allegedly coordinated on other platforms prior to the establishment of the Discord server and continued even after the involved individuals were banned from Discord. In connection with the case, five teenagers have reportedly been arrested.
Discord has been given three days to comply with the suspension of its livestreaming feature and has the option to appeal the decision within ten business days. The platform could face fines of up to 50 million reais (approximately $9.67 million) for each violation. The ANPD has stated that the suspension will remain in effect until Discord can demonstrate that it has implemented adequate protective measures for minors, which may include age verification checks.
This incident is not the first time social media platforms have faced scrutiny in Brazil. In August 2024, the social media platform X was banned in Brazil due to non-compliance with existing fines and a failure to appoint a legal representative in the country as required by law. The ban was lifted in October 2024 after X paid fines totaling 28 million reais (around $5.1 million) and fulfilled the court's requirements.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of users, particularly minors, on platforms like Discord. The ANPD's actions reflect a growing concern over the responsibilities of social media companies in protecting vulnerable users from harmful content and interactions.