Mexico moves on data and digital government

Mexico’s Senate approved a reform to strengthen protection for children and adolescents in digital environments, while the Mexico State Congress backed changes that would allow the Legislative Comptroller’s Office to take on guarantor authority functions for transparency, access to information and personal data protection. At the same time, Sonora is promoting a new Digital Transformation Law to replace its current Digital Government law.

What did the Senate approve on minors’ data?

The upper chamber approved amendments to Articles 8, 12 and 16 of the Federal Law on Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties, and the bill was sent to the Chamber of Deputies to continue the legislative process. Coverage from El Economista says the reform requires express written consent from those with parental authority or guardianship.

The text also adds age verification mechanisms and requires reasonable efforts to limit the data processed to the minimum necessary. It also prioritizes the best interests of the child, restricts automated profiling for personalized advertising aimed specifically at minors, and provides accessible mechanisms to request the cancellation or deletion of data.

What changed in Mexico State?

The state Congress approved amendments so the Legislative Comptroller’s Office can assume guarantor authority functions in transparency, access to information and personal data protection, along with the creation of a Transparency and Personal Data Protection Directorate within that office. The measure is linked to the state reform that ordered the dissolution of Infoem and the creation of Transparencia Mexiquense.

What does Sonora propose with its new law?

The Sonora initiative is presented as a Digital Transformation Law and seeks to replace the current Digital Government Law, while giving oversight of the area to the state’s Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency. A TVPacífico report, attributed to the agency, said during an open parliament session in Cajeme that work on consolidating digital government has been underway since May 2023 and that more than 80 public administration procedures were already linked to the citizen digital file.