Discord suspends livestreams in Brazil amid backlash over girl's suicide
Rio de Janeiro — Discord, the popular platform for gamers to communicate online, said Monday that it had suspended livestreams in Brazil after criticism that it failed to protect children and adolescents. The move came in the wake of a suicide case.
TL;DR
- Discord suspended livestreams in Brazil due to criticism over child protection after a teen's suicide.
- Brazil's government and Supreme Court are attempting to regulate internet use by minors.
- A 13-year-old girl allegedly was coerced into suicide during a livestream on Discord in July.
- Brazil's data protection agency cited evidence of Discord failing to prevent exposure to content violating children's rights.
- Discord stated that groups promoting violence have no place on its platform and that it has taken action against bad actors.
- Concerns about Discord have been raised globally, involving extreme violence, grooming, and encouragement of self-harm.
- A nonprofit reported a 54% increase in complaints involving Discord in Brazil between January and July compared to the previous year.
- Some critics argue that suspending livestreams could lead users to less regulated platforms, diminishing protection for minors.
- Other countries, including the UK and Australia, are also implementing measures to restrict children's access to social media and its functions.
- Brazil's Supreme Court previously ordered the shutdown of X (formerly Twitter) for non-compliance with disinformation removal orders.