Kathmandu— The Brazilian government has filed a $97 million lawsuit against chat platform Discord, alleging failures to protect child and teenage users on its platform. The legal action follows unsuccessful negotiations with the company and comes amid growing scrutiny of social media platforms’ responsibility for user safety, particularly concerning young people. The complaint centers on accusations that Discord did not comply with laws designed to safeguard vulnerable users online, seeking both compensation for collective moral damages and a mandate for improved protective measures.

Escalating Government Action

The lawsuit marks the latest instance of Brazil taking a firm stance against tech companies regarding child safety. On Tuesday, TikTok was fined $30 million by Brazil’s National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) for violations of child data privacy laws, demonstrating an increasingly assertive approach from Brazilian authorities. This action follows a recent settlement with Meta addressing concerns over youth addiction on its platforms.

Tragic Incident Fuels Legal Challenge

The legal challenge was prompted by a deeply disturbing case in July involving a 13-year-old girl in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The girl livestreamed her suicide after being allegedly encouraged to do so by a group of teenagers. According to Brazil’s Justice Ministry, the teens initially pressured her to kill an animal before escalating their harassment towards self-harm. Four teenagers and one adult have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Discord's Response and Ongoing Concerns

Following the tragic event and a subsequent order from the ANPD on August 12, Discord suspended its livestream services and pledged to enhance safety measures for teenage users. However, the Brazilian government maintains that the platform’s age verification processes and user protection mechanisms remain inadequate. The lawsuit seeks to compel Discord to adopt more effective safeguards.

Broader Debate Over Tech Platform Responsibility

The case highlights a wider debate about the responsibility of tech companies for content published on their platforms and the well-being of their users. Critics argue that these companies prioritize user engagement and profits over safety, while tech firms often contend they should not be held accountable for all user interactions or content.

Brazil’s government continues to push for stronger protections for young people online, signaling a willingness to pursue legal action against platforms it deems non-compliant with national laws.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.