Discord faces potential suspension in Brazil following a formal request from Federal Deputy Guilherme Boulos. The platform apparently came under scrutiny after authorities linked it to planning of a thwarted terrorist attack at a recent Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.

Boulos announced his action on social media earlier this week, writing (translated), “ENOUGH! We will not stand idly by waiting for tragedies to happen. I have filed a request to suspend Discord in Brazil until it complies with our country’s legislation.”

The move follows growing concerns about how the platform is being used in Brazil. Law enforcement recently uncovered a plot against the LGBTQIA+ community attending Lady Gaga’s Rio concert, with suspects allegedly using Discord to recruit participants for what they called a “collective challenge.”

This incident adds to Discord’s already troubled reputation in Brazil, where it has been associated with various criminal activities. The platform gained notoriety through cases like that of “King do Discord,” an individual arrested for crimes allegedly coordinated through the service.

According to those who support the decision, Discord has become a haven for groups that practice and spread harmful content, including hate speech and planning of violent acts, with insufficient moderation measures in place.

Naturally, user reactions to the development are pretty mixed. While some users like Amanda Paschoal support the action, commenting, “The internet cannot be a free space for those who commit hate crimes, incite attacks and promote violence,” others view it as a distraction from other pressing issues.

If implemented, this would not be the first time Brazil has taken strong action against a social media platform. In October 2024, X faced a temporary suspension in the country, leading many users to migrate to alternative platforms like Bluesky.

Some Brazilian Discord users are already discussing alternatives such as Gather and Revolt. But it’s most likely that most users will simply use VPNs to bypass any potential ban, similar to what happened in Russia and Turkey where Discord is officially restricted.

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The company has not yet issued an official response to the suspension request in Brazil.

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Dwayne Cubbins
940 Posts

For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.

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