Brazil Sues Discord Over Child Safety Requirements

Brazil has taken Discord to court. The government announced Wednesday it’s suing the chat platform for about $97 million, claiming Discord hasn’t met Brazilian requirements for protecting children and teenagers, Reuters reports. In a civil lawsuit filed in federal court, authorities say the company must bring its safety tools, age checks, parental controls, content moderation, and communication features into line with local law or face a daily fine. The case follows a move earlier this month by Brazil’s data protection authority to suspend Discord’s livestreaming features over youth-safety concerns after a suicide.

Discord called the suit disproportionate and said it doesn’t accurately reflect the platform’s approach to safety and legal compliance in Brazil. The company said it offered a plan that included technical changes and financial investment to boost safety, but Solicitor General Jorge Messias told reporters the firm ultimately declined to formalize an agreement to bring its operations into full compliance. The solicitor general’s office said in a statement the damages sought are based on collective psychological harm Discord has allowed, per the AP.