Brazil Gets Serious About Age-Gating: Nationwide Rules To Shield Minors From Adult Content

Brazil Sets the Stage for Age Verification Rules

Brazil is gearing up for a digital overhaul. By the end of February, the government plans to unveil a decree enforcing age verification across a range of online platforms. This move aims to keep minors away from gambling, adult content, and other potentially harmful material. The upcoming decree is part of a broader effort to enact restrictions approved in 2025, with a law set to kick in come March.

Insiders have already peeked at drafts reviewed by Bloomberg. They reveal that websites and apps promoting gambling, adult services, and more will need robust age-check mechanisms. No more relying on users to self-report their age – a serious commitment to keeping young folks safe online.

“It's a necessary step to protect our children in this digital era,” said a government representative close to the discussions.

What This Means for Platforms and Users

The decree will target all digital platforms operating within Brazil, creating a national age verification system for web use. This system promises to respect user privacy, banning the tracking of identities or browsing habits while collecting necessary age-related data.

Interestingly, Brazil’s strategy is not as rigid as some. Unlike Australia's outright bans on minors accessing social media, Brazil will allow under-16s to maintain accounts if linked to a guardian. However, details on how sites will enforce these checks or what penalties await non-compliant companies remain under wraps.

Broader Implications and Legislative Hurdles

This regulatory push comes amid a wider expansion of digital oversight in Brazil, spurred by the January 2023 government building invasions. The Lula administration responded with proposals for tighter online rules, though these faced Congressional pushback over censorship worries.

In contrast, Brazil's Supreme Court has already supported increased social media oversight. Meanwhile, the Congress assesses further steps, including AI regulation, potentially greenlighting changes as early as 2026. With countries like Spain and several in the EU contemplating similar moves, Brazil's initiative marks a significant step in global digital governance.