Discord proposes measures to strengthen child safety in Brazil
Discord, the company behind the communication app of the same name, submitted a proposal to Brazil’s Federal Attorney General’s Office (AGU) outlining measures to enhance user safety in the digital environment, particularly for children and adolescents.
According to a statement released by the Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday (Aug. 11), company representatives presented the proposal on Monday (Aug. 10) to address shortcomings in verifying users’ ages and protecting minors under 18 - four days after meeting with officials from AGU, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD).
The Federal Attorney General’s Office did not provide details of the proposal but noted that it will review it in partnership with the other federal agencies.
“Based on an assessment of the measures, procedures, and mechanisms presented by the company, the Attorney General’s Office will examine the possibility of moving forward with the drafting of a Conduct Adjustment Agreement, including commitments, obligations, monitoring mechanisms, and deadlines aimed at bringing the platform into compliance with Brazilian legal requirements,” the statement said.
According to the agency, the search for a consensual solution does not preclude the possibility that the federal government will take appropriate administrative and judicial action to ensure compliance with the law and protect children and adolescents in the digital environment.
Last Friday’s (7) meeting was scheduled following the outcry over the case of a 13-year-old girl who was coerced into taking her own life during a livestream on Discord channels on July 22. The case was investigated by the Federal Police as part of Operation Lívia.
During last week’s meeting, company representatives expressed their willingness to comply with legal requirements and address any identified shortcomings.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the identification of flaws in the age-verification and protection mechanisms provided for under the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents - known as the ECA Digital - “raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measures adopted by Discord to prevent children and adolescents from accessing and being exposed to risky situations in the digital environment.”
Statement
In a statement, Discord said it does not tolerate groups or individuals who promote or encourage violence. “We are cooperating with law enforcement authorities in the investigation of this serious case. Discord maintains an ongoing dialogue with Brazilian authorities, including the Ministry of Justice, and has been proactive in reporting individuals to Brazilian law enforcement authorities, contributing to operations that have resulted in arrests.”
The platform says it is committed to user safety and has teams dedicated to dismantling these groups, removing content that violates its internal policies, and taking action against those responsible for such conduct.
“These teams work daily to detect individuals who pose serious threats, identify potential victims, mitigate high-risk behavior through the systematic removal of malicious content, monitor new groups that pose threats, prevent repeat offenses, and, when appropriate, provide relevant information to law enforcement authorities and online safety organizations operating across the sector,” the statement concludes.
