Brazil’s data protection regulator has directed the chat and voice platform Discord to suspend its livestreaming capability, saying the company has not adequately shielded minors from harmful content. The National Data Protection Authority, known as ANPD, specifically ordered the pause of Discord’s "Go Live" livestreaming feature and set a three-business-day deadline for the company to demonstrate compliance with required protective measures.
ANPD flagged persistent vulnerabilities in how Discord handles live content, saying the platform does not have real-time access to livestreams and therefore cannot automatically detect and remove material that promotes violence, self-harm or suicide. "Discord lacks real-time access to livestream content, which prevents automated detection of violations," the agency said, adding that the platform relies on flawed systems and user reports to identify problems.
The regulator also said changes Discord made to the "Go Live" functionality in early March - after Brazil enacted its child digital protection statute - rendered the feature less protective. The agency launched the investigation last Friday following an incident in which investigators say a 13-year-old girl was allegedly persuaded by others in an online group she participated in to take her own life.
Under ANPD’s decision, the suspension will remain in place until Discord can show it has implemented adequate measures to protect minors. The company faces potential penalties of up to 50 million reais ($9.67 million) for every violation identified by the authority.
Discord has options to contest the order. The platform can submit an appeal within 10 business days, and a subsequent appeal to ANPD’s board is also possible. In a statement, Discord described the agency’s action as "premature" and said it continues to work to identify those responsible for the type of incident under investigation.
The agency’s requirement that real-time access and more robust automated detection be demonstrated sets the conditions for lifting the suspension. Until Discord satisfies ANPD that sufficient protections for minors are in place, the livestreaming feature will not resume, according to the regulator.