Mexico spends twice as much on privacy-invasive software: UN

According to the UN's Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, Joseph Cannataci, Mexico spends well above other countries, nearly twice as much, on privacy-invasive software.

He urged the government to assess which state departments and authorities have invested in the sophisticated software that jeopardizes citizens' right to privacy.

During a speech at the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum, which was organized by Mexico's National Institute of Transparency, Cannataci said that “when you look at who's buying what in Mexico, you find that it's not only intelligence agencies that are buying this kind of software. It's also lawmakers, legal enforcement agencies, the justice department, finance and tax authorities, and everyone seems to think this software is useful.”

Cannataci also said that the General Law on the Protection of Personal Data that was passed by Mexico's senate and that's currently under review by Mexico's lower chamber of congress is an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding citizens' fundamental right to privacy and data protection by punishing anyone who violates this right.