Breathe
By Ana Cecilia Pérez
This week the Chamber of Deputies approved a reform that could drastically change the way our personal information is handled in Mexico. In essence, the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) would be granted total and unlimited access to our personal data under the argument of fighting crime. But does this really make us safer or does it simply leave us more exposed?
What does this mean for you, for me and for everyone?
Imagine that the government could have unrestricted access to your name, address, fingerprints, phone calls, messages, tax history, vehicle records and even biometric data. You don't need to be involved in a crime; just by existing, your information would be available for use, without necessarily requiring a court order.
Some people might ask, "But the government already has my data, such as my birth or marriage certificate, why should I care more now?" The difference lies in the level of access and use of the information. Your official documents are in specific registries with access limited to certain procedures. However, this reform would allow all security agencies to access all your data centrally, without restrictions and without the need for clear justification. This opens the door to abuses, mishandling of information and massive surveillance without control.
Think of it this way: the government having your birth certificate is like a bank having your account number. But the SSPC having unrestricted access is like someone being able to get into your account, see every transaction and use your money without telling you. Would you feel safe with that?
When security becomes control
Now reflect on your day-to-day life. If you talk to a friend on the phone about a legal problem, if you send a message requesting medical information, if you buy a bus ticket to another city or simply if you participate in a peaceful protest, all that information could be collected, analyzed and used without your knowledge. You don't have to be a criminal for the government to monitor your movements.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that this information will not be used for other purposes. Who will prevent a malicious official from selling this data? In the past, government databases have ended up on the black market, where anyone can buy personal information for a few pesos.
And this is not a conspiracy theory. Cases like the use of Pegasus spyware to monitor journalists and activists in Mexico demonstrate that when the government has the power to spy, it often uses it against those who think differently, not just criminals.
If we already live in a country where databases are hacked and personal information is constantly leaked, do we really want a database with our whole life in the hands of a system without clear controls?
Government systems have been breached time and time again. Examples such as the massive hacking of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) in 2022, where 6 terabytes of sensitive information was leaked, show that not even the most protected agencies are safe from cyber-attacks. If this reform is approved, millions of citizens' data will be in one place, becoming the perfect target for both national and international hackers.
Today, criminals can buy leaked databases on the dark web and use them for fraud, identity theft or even extortion. With this reform, we would be handing over our whole life on a silver platter.
A government that does not protect our data
Before the government requests even more access to our information, it should be held accountable for its history of neglect in cybersecurity. The past sexenio demonstrated a total disinterest in implementing cybersecurity, privacy and data protection controls. Institutions such as the National Lottery, Pemex and the Ministry of Communications have been subject to cyber attacks in which the Government has lost sensitive information.
From massive leaks in public institutions to the lack of effective strategies for the protection of citizens' information, the government owes us all an outstanding debt. Why should we trust that this time they will protect our data, when they have failed time and time again to do so?
What are other countries doing to protect privacy?
While Mexico seeks to grant unlimited access to the government, in countries such as Germany and England, personal data protection is a priority. In Germany, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) establishes that the collection and use of personal information must be justified and supervised, with severe penalties for misuse. No government agency can access data without clear justification and judicial oversight.
In the UK, the Data Protection Act 2018 reinforces these principles and limits the government's use of information. Security agencies have restricted access and can only request data when there is clear evidence of a specific threat. In addition, there are constant audits to prevent abuse.
Why in Mexico are we heading in the opposite direction? Why allow the government to have unrestricted access when in other democratic countries strict controls are imposed to prevent abuses?
Who does this reform really protect?
The official argument is that this measure will help fight organized crime, but the reality is that criminals have sophisticated ways of operating off the government's radar. Instead, ordinary citizens will be the most vulnerable. With centralized databases and no effective oversight, the risks of hacks, identity theft and misuse of information increase dramatically.
In a country where personal data has already been exposed in leaks such as Guacamaya Leaks, blindly trusting that the government will handle this information responsibly is naïve to say the least.
How does it affect us in our daily lives?
- Identity theft: If your information falls into the wrong hands, it could be used to commit fraud or even involve you in crimes you did not commit.
- Less freedom of expression: If you know that everything you do online is being monitored, would you still freely express your opinion on social networks or protest against unfair decisions?
- Discrimination and persecution: Sensitive information could be used to profile individuals for their political or religious views or for their human rights work.
- Information leaks: If a hacker gains access to this data, anyone could know your address, who you talk to and even what places you frequent.
- Use for political and electoral purposes: With access to your personal information, they could profile the population and manipulate political campaigns more effectively.
What can we do?
This is not a matter of political parties, it is a matter of fundamental rights. Every day that passes without speaking out is a day closer to losing our privacy. Let's not wait until it is too late.
- Share this information on social networks.
- It demands that legislators vote against the reform.
- Question: Who will oversee the use of this data, and who will be held accountable in case of abuse?
- Learn about cybersecurity and protect your personal data.
If today we allow our privacy to become a luxury, tomorrow it will be too late to regain it.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
Comments ()