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The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) released a guide on Wednesday (28th) aimed at clarifying the responsibilities of technology companies regarding the safeguarding of children and adolescents on the internet. This material specifies which services must adhere to the Digital Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA Digital) and what measures must be implemented to mitigate dangers in the virtual space.

The guidelines cover a wide range of services, including social networks, messaging applications, electronic games, video platforms, app stores, operating systems, and e-commerce platforms. It is important to note that the application of these rules is not limited only to products developed for minors; general public services may also be covered if there is a possibility of access by children and adolescents.

The guide aims to elucidate the application of Law No. 15.211/2025, which established the Digital ECA, providing criteria for companies to recognize their obligations. This legislation came into effect in March 2026.

According to the ANPD, the protection of this demographic group must be integrated into both the development process and the operation of digital services. This implies that companies have a duty to proactively identify and reduce risks, rather than only reacting after an incident occurs.

A fundamental concept presented in the guide is that of 'probable access.' This definition allows for the inclusion of services that were not specifically designed for children and adolescents but possess attributes capable of attracting this audience and exposing them to significant risks.

The analysis takes into account three primary aspects. For example, an application may declare itself exclusive to adults, but if it offers videos, games, rewards, or forms of interaction that attract teenagers, the company's claim will not be sufficient to exempt it from the law's application.

The agency has the prerogative to analyze the actual characteristics of the service to define the applicability of the obligations. Furthermore, the ANPD clarifies that implementing age verification methods does not automatically nullify the other responsibilities stipulated in the law.

The guide emphasizes the need for efficient age verification mechanisms. A mere declaration of the user about their age or a notice in the terms of use is not sufficient to prove that the company fully complies with its obligations.

App stores and operating systems also have specific duties. One of these duties is to provide developers with information about the age range of users, assisting them in applying appropriate protective measures.

However, these mechanisms must always respect privacy. Age verification cannot be used as justification for collecting documents or personal data that exceeds what is strictly necessary.

Another crucial requirement is the adoption of more protective privacy settings by default. For children's and adolescents' accounts, companies must prioritize measures that minimize data exposure and inherent risks associated with platform use.

The guide also addresses restrictions on using minors' personal data for behavioral advertising purposes, in addition to requiring that data collection be limited to what is essential for the service's operation.

The duty of prevention is a central point highlighted by the ANPD. Companies must identify potential threats, measure the chance of harm, and implement actions to prevent or reduce such risks. Responsibility does not cease with the installation of a security tool; providers must also monitor the effectiveness of these measures and make adjustments when necessary.

Among the required actions are presenting terms of use and privacy notices in language that is simple, clear, and understandable to the youth audience. Platforms must also provide reporting channels and resources so that guardians can report risk situations.

The intention is to change the companies' approach: instead of relying solely on reports and subsequent corrective actions, protection must be considered from the product conception phase throughout its operational cycle.

The guide establishes that responsibilities will be assessed according to the specifics of each service, its size, the volume of users, and the company's capacity to influence the content and interactions offered. This allows for a proportional application of the law, without deviating from the main objective of protecting children and adolescents.

The ANPD also highlights the importance of the active participation of the companies themselves in complying with the regulations. Providers must be able to demonstrate that the adopted measures are effective and consistent with the risks of their products.

The publication serves to guide how the authority intends to conduct the application of the Digital ECA obligations. The document was improved based on contributions obtained during a public consultation held between April and June 2026, and includes practical examples, tables, and a flowchart to assist companies in identifying legal classification.

In summary, the guidance reinforces that the safety of minors on the internet cannot depend exclusively on family surveillance or voluntary initiatives by platforms; companies must also assume responsibility for the safety of the environments they build and manage.

Astronomers investigated the mystery behind Vincent Van Gogh's painting 'The Starry Night,' seeking to determine whether it reflects the artist's imagination or is a faithful record of the sky he observed.

Van Gogh voluntarily committed to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole psychiatric asylum in France in early May 1889, following a nervous breakdown that resulted in the self-mutilation of his left ear. It was during this period, looking out the window of his second-floor room, that he created one of his most famous works.

For over a century, specialists have debated whether the sky depicted in the painting is purely imaginary or corresponds to real observations. Astronomers attempted to use the stars in the canvas to pinpoint the exact time and location of its creation, but initial conclusions were varied.

Reports indicate that he began the work shortly before sunrise on a June night, based on the view from the location, and incorporated a village from his childhood in the Netherlands. Before painting, Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo, mentioning: 'Observing the sky from the window before dawn, I noticed it was clear, nothing but a very large star, which could only be the Morning Star (Venus Planet)'.

Although this letter suggests inspiration from a specific observation, researchers acknowledge that the painting may be an extrapolation of the landscape. However, a recent study has brought new evidence regarding which constellation Van Gogh might be representing.

In an article published in Scientific Reports, researchers managed to identify the stars in the work as belonging to the V-shaped Hyades cluster, located in the constellation Taurus, as observed on July 22, 1889. This finding implies that Van Gogh's celebrated painting was produced at least a month later than speculated a hundred years ago.

A crucial factor found by the team lies in the shape of the Moon. During the historically linked period of the work's production, between June 18 and 19, the natural satellite should have appeared fuller than the thin crescent seen in the painting. In contrast, the lunar appearance on July 22, 1889, is more consistent with the image created by Van Gogh. On that same date, Venus and the Hyades appeared simultaneously in the eastern part of the sky.

Space researcher Elijah Jeong-hyun Kim, the author of the article, stated to Scientific American: 'In my opinion, the star cluster in The Starry Night was the Hyades, in the constellation Taurus. But previous studies associated it with Aries.'

For a long time, the constellation linked to the painting was Aries, situated near Venus in the sky, between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. Van Gogh's letter to his brother Theo, dated June 18, 1889, where he cites the Morning Star, reinforced this theory among scholars.

However, other documents from Van Gogh suggest that the work may have been executed in several sessions, with the stars being observed starting from late July. Researchers warn that Van Gogh's mention of a 'new study' of the sky does not mean the painting was finished on that date.

Additionally, Van Gogh's letters do not mention Aries, despite frequent references to observing Venus. Kim explains that 'the stars of Aries are relatively dim, they would hardly be enough to inspire a painter at dawn,' the time when Van Gogh usually observed the sky.

To identify the correct constellation, scientists employed a program called Procrustes. This software analyzes patterns based on the relative arrangement of a set of stars, ignoring characteristics that could be mere artistic embellishments, such as color or size.

This 'shape analysis' methodology allowed them to link five stars present in the painting to five stars of the Hyades cluster. This correspondence demonstrated the best statistical fit among all constellations tested, including Aries.