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Brazil sets new age limits for the use of networks and AI.
Brazil will raise the recommended minimum age for using social media and artificial intelligence starting in 2026. The new regulatory framework, called the Digital ECA, was presented this week and is already being discussed with civil society organizations and companies in the sector.
Recommended ages
- Messaging apps: 12 years
- Social media: 16 years old
- AI Chatbots: 14 years
This change represents a turnaround from previous proposals, especially for chatbots, which had their recommended age reduced.
What changes for companies?
The Digital ECA imposes clear obligations on app stores, operating systems, and digital service providers. They will be responsible for verifying users' ages and preventing children and adolescents from accessing inappropriate content.
Large companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and TikTok are directly affected, as are e-commerce stores, adult content websites, and betting sites.
Impacts and challenges
The age verification requirement poses technical and operational challenges for platforms, which will need to adapt their systems to ensure compliance with the law. The government hopes this will reduce minors' exposure to harmful content and strengthen digital protection.
Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
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