Brazil has put a new digital safety law into force and the gaming world is adjusting. The ECA Digital law, sometimes called the Felca law, is designed to strengthen protections for minors online. Riot Games reacted quickly, implementing age verification and blocking accounts for players under 18 on some of its titles in Brazil. The move has stirred debate about how broadly these rules should be applied and how companies execute them.

What the ECA Digital law requires

The new rules tighten several areas related to children and online services. Key points include:

  • Clearer definitions of child sexual content, including language that covers content created with generative AI.
  • Measures to prevent compulsive or harmful use for services aimed at minors.
  • Age verification and age gates so that age-restricted content can only be accessed by verified users and account creation can be limited by age.

How Riot implemented the rules

Riot updated its access procedures for Brazil to comply. The company said players 18 and older will need to complete an age verification step to access most games. League of Legends was specifically mentioned among titles requiring verification.

Valorant is handled a bit differently. Riot is allowing accounts for younger players only with parental permission, which involves supplying a parent or guardian email address.

Accounts for players under 18 were temporarily blocked and described by Riot as "secured." Riot says it will work to restore original content ratings for affected titles so that players under the threshold can return, but only with adult permission. The company expects to complete that work in early 2027.

Reaction and consequences

The law and its rollout have provoked public reactions. A popular content creator associated with the public debate was targeted for criticism; he published a response clarifying he was not part of the lawmaking process. He also pointed out that the law seeks to curb exploitative monetization practices, which has put additional scrutiny on systems such as loot boxes.

Local outlets and community posts have published guides explaining the verification steps players will see. The general advice is to watch your account email, follow the verification prompts if you are 18 or older, and expect parent or guardian involvement for younger users who need continued access.

What players should do now

  • Check your account email for messages from Riot and follow the verification instructions if prompted.
  • If you are under 18, discuss the changes with a parent or guardian so they can provide consent if needed.
  • Be prepared for further adjustments as companies update ratings and access systems to comply with the law.

The law aims to create safer online spaces for children. The tradeoff is a period of friction for players and publishers as systems are updated. Expect more changes and clarifications as enforcement continues and companies refine their approaches.