Brazil orders Discord to halt livestreaming over child safety failures

Brazil's national data protection authority, ANPD, has ordered the chat platform Discord to suspend its livestreaming feature within three business days, citing serious shortcomings in protecting minors from harmful content.

The agency's decision, issued on Wednesday, targets Discord's "Go Live" feature. The suspension will remain in effect until the company demonstrates that it has implemented adequate protective measures for children and adolescents, according to an official statement.

ANPD investigators found that Discord lacks real-time access to livestream content, which prevents automated detection of violations. The platform reportedly relies on flawed systems and user reports, leaving minors exposed to content promoting violence, self-harm, and suicide.

The agency also noted that Discord made changes to "Go Live" in early March, following the enactment of Brazil's child digital protection statute, which made the feature less protective.

The investigation was launched last Friday after an incident in which a 13-year-old girl was allegedly persuaded to take her own life by others in an online group she belonged to.

Discord must prove compliance within three business days or face fines of up to 50 million reais (approximately $9.67 million) per violation. The company has ten business days to appeal the decision, with a further appeal to ANPD's board possible.

Discord has not yet responded to requests for comment.