Lawful and unlawful surveillance in Mexican democracy / Vigilancia legal e ilegal en la democracia mexicana

Abstract

With the access to always more sophisticated and technologically advanced surveillance tools, it is crucial to develop progressive legislation to safeguard human rights and to ensure governments do not abuse their power by engaging in excessive state surveillance. This article investigates the use governments give to these surveillance instruments, focusing on Mexico. Firstly, we offer an overview of recent cases exposing governments' use of mass surveillance to repress critics. Secondly, we analyze what legislation is in place for data protection and privacy in some countries and how authoritarian governments employ surveillance methods to control their citizens. Thirdly, the Mexican legislation about data protection and access is presented. Fourthly, we describe how the Mexican authorities employ unlawful surveillance methods against critics with the complicity of telecommunications companies. Finally, we propose a few reforms to strengthen data and privacy protection in Mexico