Discord has suspended video calls and screen sharing in Brazil after the country’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) ordered restrictions following the death of a teenage girl.
The case involved what Discord described as a “coordinated sadistic harm campaign” targeting the teenager across online platforms. The company said it is complying with the regulator’s order and that the affected video features are now unavailable to Brazilian users.
Discord said it continues to cooperate with law enforcement and works to remove people involved in harmful activity from its platform. The restrictions do not amount to a complete shutdown of Discord in Brazil. Users can still access direct messages, group chats, servers, voice channels, audio-only calls, and other functions that do not rely on video or screen sharing.
ANPD previously raised concerns about Discord’s safeguards against violence, self-harm, and other threats to young users. The regulator has also highlighted limitations involving the platform’s ability to monitor Go Live video streams in real time.
The restrictions have already prompted some Brazilian users to search for ways to restore access to the disabled features. Proton VPN reported an 800% overnight increase in free sign-ups following the move, while instructions for circumventing the restrictions using VPN services have appeared online.
However, the surge comes as Brazilian lawmakers consider legislation addressing the use of technology that masks or alters IP addresses and other digital identifiers.
The proposed legislation covers the use of proxies, software, browsers, and other methods designed to conceal or anonymize identifying information when the purpose is to prevent or hinder identification. The proposal has been amended during the legislative process and includes exceptions for legitimate privacy and security purposes, including professional use.
Importantly, the proposal is not the same as a currently effective nationwide ban on VPNs. Therefore, claims that people in Brazil presently face prison simply for using a VPN would misrepresent the status of the legislation.
For now, Discord’s restrictions remain focused on video functionality. Brazilian users retain access to the platform’s text and audio features while the company works to address the regulator’s requirements and restore the suspended services.