Florida sues Discord over child safety protections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:38 · Archive

Florida's attorney general has sued Discord, alleging the platform fails to protect underage users from predators.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Discord on 15 October, alleging the platform violated Florida's consumer protection law and a state law protecting children online. The complaint also accuses Discord of negligence, negligent misrepresentation and public nuisance. Uthmeier said Discord marketed itself as safe for children whilst failing to verify users' ages, limit contact between minors and strangers, or remove predators from the platform.

The lawsuit cites several cases involving people accused or convicted of exploiting children after contacting them through Discord. A 60-year-old St. Cloud man used a false teenage identity to contact nearly 300 minors and was sentenced to life in prison. In another case, a 19-year-old Highlands County man lured an 11-year-old Miami-Dade County girl from Roblox to Discord before sexually assaulting and kidnapping her. Discord reported approximately 2.7 million monthly U.S. users under 18 as of February 2024.

Uthmeier said his office has worked with Discord over the last six months to make changes but found them "not enough". He said the platform does not adequately scan private chats for violations. Discord said it proactively scans and removes known and novel instances of child sexual abuse material and remains open to working with the attorney general and law enforcement.

How it is being reported

• Florida attorney general sues Discord, alleging platform failed to protect childrenFlorida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Discord, alleging the online chat platform marketed itself as safe for children while failing to adequately verify users’ ages, limit contact between minors and strangers, or remove predators.News4Jax · 16 Oct, 14:55
• Florida AG files lawsuit against social platform Discord for alleged endangerment of underage usersFlorida AG James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against Discord Thursday, alleging that it violated Florida law and endangered underage users.WCTV · 15 Oct, 21:10

In this story: Florida · James Uthmeier · Discord · St. Cloud

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