Brazil orders Discord to suspend livestreaming after teen's death

Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) ordered Discord on Wednesday to suspend its livestreaming feature across the country within three business days, citing the platform's failure to protect children and teenagers from content promoting violence, self-harm and suicide.

The order followed the death of a 13-year-old girl who died by suicide on July 22 in Naviraí, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Authorities said the girl was encouraged to harm herself during a 45-minute livestream on Discord, during which she was also allegedly pressured to torture and kill a cat. Five minors and one adult were detained on charges of aggravated homicide in connection with the incident.

The ANPD stated that livestreams have been repeatedly used to facilitate violence, harassment, and the incitement of self-harm and suicide on the platform. The agency cited "robust evidence that the company failed to adopt reasonable measures" to protect minors.

Discord itself will not be blocked in Brazil, but the "Go Live" feature and other similar video-sharing tools will be unavailable to users until the company demonstrates it has implemented adequate safeguards for minors, according to the ANPD statement.

Discord told the BBC it was "thoughtfully reviewing" the ANPD's order and is "committed to user safety." A company spokesperson said: "Groups or individuals who promote or encourage violence have no place on Discord. We swiftly investigated and shut down the private, invite-only server involved shortly after its creation and continue to cooperate with law" enforcement.

The president's wife called for the platform to be blocked entirely during an official event, following the teenager's death and the detention of those involved in the livestream.