Discord could be facing a suspension in Brazil after Federal Deputy Guilherme Boulos filed a formal request to halt the service. The move follows reports that the platform was used in connection with planning a foiled terrorist attack at a Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.
Boulos took to social media to announce the request, saying he would not wait for a tragedy to occur before action was taken. His call to suspend Discord is based on the platform’s alleged failure to comply with Brazilian laws.
Authorities linked the recent plot, which targeted the LGBTQIA+ community attending the concert, to activity on Discord. The suspects are said to have used the platform to recruit others for what they referred to as a “collective challenge.”
This isn’t the first time Discord has come under fire in Brazil. The platform has been associated with various criminal incidents in the country, including the well-known case of “King do Discord,” a user allegedly involved in coordinating illegal activities through the app.
Critics argue that Discord provides a space where harmful content spreads with little oversight. They claim it serves as a breeding ground for hate speech and plans for violent acts due to insufficient moderation.
Public reaction to the proposed suspension has been mixed. Some people support the move, saying that the internet should not be a haven for those promoting violence. Others see it as a political distraction and argue that it won’t address the root of the problem.
Brazil has previously taken similar actions against tech platforms. In October 2024, X was temporarily suspended in the country, prompting users to shift to services like Bluesky. Now, some Discord users in Brazil are discussing moving to platforms like Gather and Revolt.
Despite the talk of a ban, many users are expected to turn to VPNs to continue accessing Discord if it’s blocked, much like users have done in countries like Russia and Turkey where the service is restricted.
As of now, Discord has not released a public statement in response to the suspension request.