Brazil Wants to Ban Discord After Failed Attack During Lady Gaga Concert

In the shadow of a foiled terrorist plot targeting Lady Gaga’s show in Brazil, questions have been raised as to whether Discord, the popular chat app, could soon lose its access to the country. The May 3 event attracted more than 2,1 million attendees, but it was shocking to learn that attackers used the platform to plot violence against LGBTQ+ attendees.

Brazilian deputy congressman Guilherme Boulos filed a formal request for Discord’s suspension last week, shortly after police exposed the so-called “Fake Monster” plot. The move led to 15 raids across four states, arresting nine suspects on suspicion of planning to attack the concert with improvised explosive devices and Molotov cocktails. Boulos, determined to prevent further tragedies, declared on social media: “Enough! We’re not going to wait for something terrible to happen. I’ve filed a request to suspend Discord in Brazil until it complies with our country’s laws.”

The attackers reportedly targeted children, teenagers, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Intriguingly, Lady Gaga herself only learned of the threat after the show, through the media. Boulos argued in his petition to the Ministério Público Federal that Discord does not operate legally in Brazil, making it nearly impossible for authorities to effectively enforce content moderation. He labeled the app a “breeding ground for hate crimes by right-wing extremists,” pointing to several incidents, including the live streaming of murders and animal abuse.

In response to the threat, Discord took swift action by shutting down the accounts involved, and the platform says it has legal representation in Brazil through Licks Attorneys, which has offices in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Boulos isn’t the only one targeting Discord, however; fellow Workers’ Party member Reimont has also called for both Discord and 4chan to be targeted in the fight against criminal content.

A History of Social Media Bans in Brazil

The fact that Brazil regularly takes aim at social media is no surprise. For example, the country temporarily banned X last year after a heated row with Elon Musk. From August 30 to October 8, 2024, X was inaccessible to an estimated 20 to 40 million Brazilians, as the Supreme Court of Justice deemed this step necessary following repeated failures by the platform to appoint legal representation.

Several other platforms have already experienced similar suspensions. Telegram For example, was blocked in March 2022 for failing to remove accounts involved in spreading disinformation surrounding the election. After interim corrections, the platform was allowed to be accessed again. Telegram was also temporarily banned in April 2023 for refusing to provide user data on neo-Nazi group chats.

Discord has not been banned so far, but concerns are growing among Brazilians about their favorite communication platform. The crypto community and gamers, who rely heavily on Discord, are already discussing alternatives and the legitimacy of these measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason for the possible ban of Discord in Brazil?
The trigger is a foiled terrorist plot targeting a Lady Gaga concert, in which Discord was used to plan violence against vulnerable groups.

How is Discord responding to the allegations?
Discord promptly responded by shutting down the accounts involved and claims to have legal representation in Brazil.

Has Discord been banned yet?
So far, there has been no ban on Discord, but concerns continue to grow among users who use the platform for communication and community engagement.