Age Verification Woes: Brazil’S Digital Services Stumble

Age Verification Shortcomings Uncovered

Brazil is facing a digital dilemma as a fresh study highlights that 21 out of 25 digital platforms accessed by children are falling short on age verification—a key requirement of the Digital Child and Adolescent Statute that came into effect on Tuesday, October 17. The Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br) shared these findings at a presentation in Brasília on Wednesday, underscoring significant gaps in compliance.

While platforms like betting sites Betano and Superbet, gaming giant Roblox, and adult site Privacy.com manage to incorporate initial age checks, they are the exception rather than the rule. As explained by Cetic.br's research coordinator Fabio Senne, the survey aims to bolster public discourse on the statute's implementation. Notably, the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) will likely use this survey in fulfilling its regulatory duties.

Legal and Advertising Implications

The statute is also shaking up advertising aimed at young audiences. Legal experts Mariana Galvão and Leticia Livreri from Paulo Gomes de Oliveira Filho highlight that the new law strengthens existing protections for minors online. This increased scrutiny could affect everything from marketing strategies to campaign reputations.

“The current scenario is one of transition, but the message is clear: regulatory expectations have increased, and inaction may lead to significant legal and reputational risks,” Livreri noted.

Gustavo Borges from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Brazil adds that while advertisers are adapting, the process isn't yet complete. Details on how these rules will play out in the digital space are still unfolding, awaiting further regulatory guidance.

Complexities and Confusions

The study, titled “Age Verification Practices in 25 Digital Services Used by Children in Brazil,” scrutinized 550 pages of public documents. It found discrepancies in age requirements and highlighted challenges in accessing information, which often spans multiple pages and languages. Only a third of the services provide reports specific to Brazilian users.

Critically, only a minority of platforms deploy proactive measures to identify underage users. Many rely on third-party services for age checks, with official ID submission being the most common method. Yet, parental controls remain optional across most services, leaving gaps in monitoring.

With only eight services actively identifying underage accounts and just six publishing transparency reports, the push for more rigorous standards is evident. As the digital landscape adapts, all eyes are on how these changes will impact both platforms and advertisers.