Mexico moves on data and child cyber safety

Mexico’s Senate Cybersecurity Commission said it will keep track of bills on data protection, critical infrastructure defense, online crime prevention and digital rights. At the same time, the Chamber of Deputies received and forwarded a measure to amend the Federal Law on Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties, adding specific rules for handling the data of children and adolescents in digital environments.

What is driving the Senate?

The commission said one of its responsibilities is to promote a legal framework for incident response bodies and for personal data protection. The announcement, released by the Senate of the Republic, places continued legislative work on cybersecurity and information security on the agenda.

According to the legislative statement, the follow-up will cover projects on data protection, critical infrastructure defense, online crime prevention and digital rights. The commission did not provide a schedule or vote timeline in the notice, but it did say those issues will remain in its work stream.

What changes does the bill on minors propose?

The bill referred to the Transparency and Anti-Corruption Commission proposes amending Articles 8, 12 and 16 of the federal law to add provisions on the processing of personal data belonging to children and adolescents in digital environments. One of its central points is the express written consent of those with parental authority or guardianship.

The Chamber of Deputies said the proposal has already been received and referred for review. The text seeks to set rules for how minors’ data should be handled on platforms and digital services, with a formal authorization requirement from mothers, fathers or guardians.

What does the proposal say about removing content?

A bill introduced by federal Representative Fidel Daniel Chimal García would allow children and adolescents to request the removal or deletion of digital content that includes their image, voice, name, personal data or other elements that violate their rights. The proposal was sent to the Commission on the Rights of Children and Adolescents.

According to Omnia, the request could be filed by the minor through a legal representative, by those with parental authority, guardianship, custody or care, or by the Protection Prosecutor’s Office. Sociedad Noticias added that this remains a legislative proposal and is not yet a right incorporated into current law, and that the bill would allow Child Protection Prosecutor’s Offices to act on their own or at a party’s request to manage the removal, deletion or restriction of access to content, with safeguards for freedom of expression, access to information and the public interest.

What did Tlaxcala approve on safe internet access?

Tlaxcala’s state congress approved reforms to recognize the safe internet access of children and adolescents and to promote policies for prevention, protection, response and sanctions against cyberbullying and digital violence affecting their privacy, security or dignity. Proposals to create specific crimes linked to digital contact with minors were removed.

According to La Jornada de Oriente, that exclusion was based on the view that the conduct could already fall under existing rules. The local congress therefore focused the reform on recognizing the right to safe access and strengthening mechanisms against digital violence.