Brazil’s data protection authority, the ANPD, has officially ordered Discord to suspend its livestreaming functionality. This regulatory intervention follows a formal investigation initiated on 7 August, prompted by the death of a 13-year-old girl who was reportedly pressured to end her life by other participants within a Discord server.
The messaging platform, which is accessible via desktop and mobile applications, serves a massive global audience of over 200 million monthly active users and remains particularly popular among the gaming community. Users typically utilize the service to form interest-based groups, frequently engaging in real-time voice or video interactions through the platform’s “Go Live” feature.
In response to the directive, a Discord spokesperson confirmed the company is “thoughtfully reviewing” the ANPD’s order and is “committed to user safety.” The company maintained that groups or individuals who promote or encourage violence have no place on their platform, noting that they have been cooperating with law enforcement regarding the incident.
Discord’s internal investigation reportedly found that the criminal activity in question was coordinated on other platforms before the specific Discord server was even created. Furthermore, the company stated that the behavior continued even after the individuals involved had been banned from their service. Five teenagers have reportedly been arrested in connection with the girl’s death.
According to reports from Reuters, the ANPD determined that Discord currently lacks real-time access to livestream content. This technical limitation prevents the platform from implementing automated violation detection, a gap the regulator deems unacceptable for the protection of minors.
The platform now faces significant financial pressure, as it faces potential fines of up to 50m reais ($9.67m) per violation. The suspension is set to remain in effect until Discord can provide sufficient proof that it has implemented adequate protective measures for minors, which may include the introduction of mandatory age verification checks.
This regulatory move comes amid broader scrutiny of social media platforms in Brazil. In August 2024, the platform X was banned in the country after failing to pay existing fines and missing a Supreme Court deadline to appoint a new legal representative. X was eventually unbanned in October 2024 after complying with court orders, paying 28m reais ($5.1m) in fines, and appointing a local representative.
Discord has previously faced criticism regarding its safety protocols. In February, the company announced plans to require face scans or ID to access adult content, a move that left top streamers concerned, with some stating, “I do not trust them” regarding the handling of their personal data.
Discord has been granted three days to comply with the suspension order and retains the right to appeal the decision within 10 business days. As the situation develops, users are encouraged to stay informed on the latest industry shifts.
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It was unbanned by the Supreme Court in October 2024 after it complied with court orders by paying fines totalling 28m reais ($5.1m; £3.8m) and agreed to appoint a local representative, as required by Brazilian law.
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