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Authorities in Brazil propose to prohibit Discord following a thwarted assault at a Lady Gaga concert.

Brazilian authorities aim to prohibit the use of chat app Discord due to a potential attack on LGBTQ+ attendees at a Lady Gaga concert. Historically, the country has focused on restricting social media platforms.

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Law enforcement in Brazil aims to restrict the use of Discord, alleging it's linked to a proposed...
Law enforcement in Brazil aims to restrict the use of Discord, alleging it's linked to a proposed attack on attendees of a Lady Gaga concert who identify as LGBTQ+. This isn't the first time Brazil has aimed to curtail activities on social media platforms.

In a Nutshell

  • Brazil could yank Discord's service after a botched terrorist attack at Lady Gaga's concert was masterminded on the platform.
  • Authorities contend that Discord operates in Brazil without proper legal authorization, a claim that Discord squabbles over.
  • The Brazilian government has previously booted X and Telegram due to compliance issues, but both eventually reclaimed access after complying with legal requirements.

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Authorities in Brazil propose to prohibit Discord following a thwarted assault at a Lady Gaga concert.

Brazil might axe popular chat app Discord following a thwarted act of terror at Lady Gaga's massive concert. The nefarious minds behind the plot aimed to stir mayhem at the LGBTQ+ attendees.

Not long after the foiled attack on May 3, Lady Gaga's bash at Copacabana Beach drew over 2.1 million revelers, Deputy Guilherme Boulos asked for Discord's suspension. During "Fake Monster" operation, police nabbed nine individuals in four states. They were accused of cooking up improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails to terrorize the concert.

"No more waiting for tragedies!" Boulos wrote on X, citing Discord's lack of legal representation in Brazil. He called the platform a breeding ground for extremist right-wing activity[4].

"Discord has turned into a fertile breeding ground for illicit activities," Boulos stated, emphasizing past incidents beyond the concert mayhem, like live-streaming a homeless man's murder, virtual rape, and animal abuse.

Discord promptly purged the implicated accounts, keeping Licks Attorneys on retainer to accommodate their Brazilian operations in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro[5]. However, Licks Attorneys hasn't commented on Decrypt's request for comment.

Reimont, another deputy from the Workers' Party, teamed up to target Discord and 4chan, urging measures against both for promoting criminal content.

Brazil's Past Social Media Takedowns

In recent years, Brazil has shown it ain't afraid to kick social media platforms to the curb.

Just last year, the country gave X a swift kick off its digital playground during a standoff with Elon Musk. X went dark from August 30 to October 8, following Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes' suspension order. The ban ensued after X neglected to appoint a legal representative and failed to comply with court orders to remove disinformation-mirroring the situation with Discord today, according to the legislators' allegations.

An estimated 20 to 40 million Brazilian users were left hangin' until X settled its fines and met court demands. Brazil is the seventh most populated country globally.

X's ban helped Bluesky gain traction, attracting over a million users within three days.

Telegram has faced banhammer twice. In March 2022, the Brazilian Supreme Court barred the messaging app for refusing to remove accounts spreading disinformation, particularly those backing Jair Bolsonaro ahead of the elections. The ban lasted days, until Telegram appointed a legal representative and complied[2].

Telegram landed another ban in April 2023 when a federal judge ordered its suspension since Telegram refused to release user data tied to neo-Nazi chat groups implicated in school violence investigations. The ban didn't last, though, and was lifted after Telegram complied with the daily fines.

Currently, X and Telegram are back in Brazil's good books, but the situation with Discord is still up in the air. Brazilian crypto users and gamers, who heavily rely on Discord for community interactions, are already contemplating alternatives in case things turn sour.

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Worth Checking Out on Walrus

Key Insights:As of the latest info, Discord hasn't been officially banned in Brazil, although it's on shaky ground. The push for a suspension is driven by security concerns and Discord's association with illegal activities, particularly after a foiled plot at the Lady Gaga concert targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. Authorities argued that the plot was organized on Discord[3].

Current State:

  • Potential Suspension: Deputy Guilherme Boulos submitted a formal request for Discord's suspension in Brazil until it adheres to the country's laws[3].
  • Reasons for Suspension: The reasons include its role in facilitating criminal plots and violating Brazilian laws[1][3].
  1. The thwarted terror plot at Lady Gaga's concert, originally planned on Discord, has sparked calls for the suspension of the popular chat app in Brazil.
  2. The Brazilian government, concerned about Discord's role in hosting illegal activities, is considering axing the platform due to its lack of legal representation in the country and compliance issues.
  3. In light of Discord's association with criminal activities and the foiled plot targeting the LGBTQIA+ community, Deputy Guilherme Boulos has formally requested Discord's suspension in Brazil.
  4. Brazil's crypto users and gamers, heavily reliant on Discord for community interactions, are already contemplating alternatives as the situation with Discord remains uncertain.

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