Key facts
- Brazil's government has filed a civil lawsuit against Discord seeking 500 million reais ($97 million).
- The lawsuit alleges Discord failed to comply with laws protecting children and women.
- Discord suspended its livestreams in Brazil after criticism from a national watchdog.
- The data protection agency cited evidence of insufficient prevention of risks related to self-harm and suicide incitement.
- The case follows a reported incident where a minor allegedly was coerced into suicide during a livestream on the platform.
Brazil's government has initiated a lawsuit against the chat platform Discord, demanding 500 million reais (approximately $97 million) in collective moral damages. Solicitor General Jorge Messias announced the civil suit, citing Discord's alleged failure to adhere to laws designed to protect children and women.
This legal action follows Discord's decision to suspend its livestreaming services in Brazil. The suspension occurred after criticism from Brazil's national agency of data protection, which cited robust evidence that the company had not adequately prevented exposure to content that incites violence, self-harm, and suicide. The agency's order for suspension last week preceded Discord's announcement.
The scrutiny intensified after a reported incident in July where an underage girl in Mato Grosso do Sul allegedly was coerced into suicide during a livestream on the platform. Brazil's first lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, publicly condemned the platform, stating it should be taken offline. Five teenagers were reportedly arrested in connection with the death.
Discord stated that groups promoting violence have no place on its platform and that it is committed to user safety, with dedicated teams working to disrupt violent groups and remove violative content. The company also mentioned investigating and shutting down a private server where criminal activity encouraging self-harm was believed to have occurred before the recent incident. However, Safernet Brazil reported a 54% increase in complaints involving Discord between January and July compared to the previous year, characterizing the 13-year-old girl's case as a tragic outcome of a documented pattern.