Chile, Argentina advance on digital laws

Chile has reached a key stage with Law No. 21,719 on Personal Data Protection, published in December 2024 and scheduled to take full effect on Dec. 1, 2026, while the government negotiates with lawmakers a possible delay until Dec. 1, 2027. At the same time, several Argentine provinces are moving forward with bills on cybersecurity, digital violence and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, with active proceedings in Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Tucumán and Santa Fe.

What is happening with Chile's data law?

Law No. 21,719 sets new obligations for organizations that handle personal data, and the political process opened in August 2026 could push full implementation back by another year. According to ADN Radio Chile, the government is weighing with lawmakers whether to postpone enforcement until Dec. 1, 2027, although the Data Protection Agency would still be set up toward the end of 2026.

PressLatam and OneTrust agree that the law reforms Law No. 19,628, creates the Personal Data Protection Agency, and requires companies to show how they process information, while also putting in place workflows to handle rights of access, correction, deletion, objection, objection to automated decisions, blocking and portability. OneTrust adds that privacy notices and consent practices will need to be updated so they are explicit, unambiguous, specific, informed in advance and freely given.

That analysis also shows organizations will need to map data flows, document the legal basis for each processing activity, strengthen technical and organizational security measures, define breach notification procedures and review third parties that process data on the company's behalf. PressLatam adds that the law includes fines of up to 20,000 UTM and that the impact will be felt especially in sectors such as banking, retail and services.

What projects are moving in Argentina?

Argentina has seen legislative progress in Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Tucumán and Santa Fe, with initiatives focused on cybersecurity, digital violence in educational settings, protection of children and adolescents in digital environments and ethics in the use of artificial intelligence.

In Mendoza, the Chamber of Deputies included consideration of bill No. 88339 on its Aug. 25, 2026 agenda, relating to a Provincial Cybersecurity Law, in the Hall of Deputies of the Committee Building, confirming its formal entry into the committee process. A provincial statement added that the governor linked the initiative to the future regulation of facial recognition technology for public safety and said the bill has already passed one chamber.

In Buenos Aires province, the so-called Ema Law received a favorable report from the General Legislation Committee and from the Education Committee, and is now ready to be debated on the floor at the session scheduled for Aug. 27, 2026. According to Ahora Info, the goal is to ensure safe educational environments both on and off screen.

La Capital reported that Rosario's municipal council adopted the Ema Law, with emphasis on teacher training, response protocols and the inclusion of digital citizenship content, which points to operational obligations for schools that apply or join the framework.

In Tucumán, the Science and Technology Committee issued a favorable report on a bill to protect children and adolescents in digital environments, with a focus on risks on social networks and digital platforms. The proposal sets a 180-day implementation period once the law is passed.

What is Santa Fe doing on artificial intelligence?

Santa Fe gave preliminary approval to a bill on the ethics and use of artificial intelligence that follows UNESCO recommendations and has now moved to the Chamber of Deputies for further consideration. The text includes principles of equity, non-discrimination, transparency, privacy protection and human dignity, and is also tied to the right of access to public information.