The new rules that increase the protection of children and adolescents on the internet come into force this Tuesday (17). Known as “ECA Digital”, the set of standards deals with the actions of companies and parents. The Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents is the first Brazilian law to propose rules and punishments applicable to digital platforms.
The law reinforces the requirement for age verification and also establishes rules for access to advertising for minors under 18 and for the removal of content considered “harmful”. Minors under 16 years of age can only access social networks if the account is linked to that of a guardian.
Platforms must offer clear tools to monitor usage time, contacts and content accessed. According to the Chamber of Deputies, the law makes it clear that ECA Digital is not about censorship. Furthermore, it also limits who can request the removal of publications, restricting this power to victims, guardians, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and protection entities, and not to the State unilaterally.
Supervision will be the responsibility of the National Data Protection Agency, which may impose warnings and fines. In more serious cases, the suspension or prohibition of a platform’s activity in Brazil will depend on a court decision.
