Chile Senate delays personal data law

Chile’s Senate Constitution, Legislation, Justice and Rules Committee unanimously approved moving ahead with a delay to Personal Data Protection Law No. 21,719 and with changes to the future Personal Data Protection Agency. The executive branch proposal would push the law’s effective date to Dec. 1, 2027. The bill is still in its first constitutional stage, so it does not yet have the force of law.

What did the Chilean Senate committee approve?

The committee approved both proposals in general, each aimed at changing when Law No. 21,719 takes effect. One comes from the executive branch, under Bill No. 18,623-07, and the other is a parliamentary motion, identified as Bill No. 18,060-07. After the vote, the executive branch pledged to give the bill immediate urgency so it can move into article-by-article debate.

What changes are being discussed for the future agency?

The bill also includes changes to the structure of the future Personal Data Protection Agency. Among them is a proposal to expand its Board of Directors from three members to five, appointed by the president with the approval of two-thirds of the Senate. It also calls for partial board renewal every two years.

During the legislative debate, lawmakers also raised an alternative to a full postponement. That version would have kept the substantive rights and obligations in force in December 2026, while delaying the agency’s inspection and sanctioning powers by one year.

What impact are the compliance deadlines meant to have?

The proposal is intended to give companies and public agencies more time to adapt to the new data protection framework. According to the compliance guidance cited, organizations should not assume that the adjustment deadline has already been extended to 2027 while the bill is still moving through Congress.

That point matters because the proposed delay is not yet in force. The shift to December 2027 remains under parliamentary review and, for now, does not by itself change obligations tied to the law’s entry into force.