Brazil’s federal government filed a lawsuit against Discord on August 25, seeking R$500 million ($97 million) in collective damages over alleged failures to protect children and teenagers on its platform, according to medianama.com. The suit demands court-ordered changes to Discord’s safety systems, including stronger age verification, parental supervision, and content moderation.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGU), with technical support from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Federal Police, initiated the public civil action in a federal court in Brasília. The government claims Discord’s current age verification and safety measures do not comply with Brazil’s Digital Child and Adolescent Statute. The lawsuit requests that Discord verify user ages beyond self-declared birth dates, link accounts of users under 16 to a legal guardian, and implement default restrictions on unsolicited contact with minors.
This legal action highlights growing regulatory scrutiny over online platforms’ responsibilities to protect minors. Brazil’s government argues that platforms must embed protections by default rather than reactively responding to harmful content. The case aligns with global trends where governments seek stronger safeguards on social media and communication services to prevent exploitation and abuse of children online.
The lawsuit also demands a daily fine of R$500,000 if Discord fails to comply with court-ordered measures within 15 days, underscoring the government’s intent to enforce rapid changes. The case is currently pending in the federal court in Brasília, marking a significant regulatory challenge for Discord in Brazil.