Mexican consulates warn that paying for appointment services puts citizens’ personal data at risk, as these fees are not required and are explicitly condemned by diplomatic authorities. The main conclusion is that the existence of paid “gestorías” exploits community vulnerability for profit, directly threatening privacy and security while generating unnecessary income for third parties who offer a free government service. Despite official statements clarifying that appointments are available on specific days, many citizens face significant difficulties securing slots through official channels. This frustration drives individuals toward informal networks where they pay substantial amounts for assistance, creating a cycle that incentivizes the proliferation of these illegal services and complicates the public’s access to essential documentation like passports and registrations. This situation is highly relevant to open data because it highlights the critical need for transparent, accessible, and user-friendly public digital infrastructure. When government systems are perceived as opaque or overly complex, citizens are forced into unregulated data markets. Ensuring that administrative processes are clear and equitable prevents data exploitation and builds trust, demonstrating that true openness involves not just data availability, but also the usability and security of the channels through which citizens interact with their rights.
Source: univision.comPublished on 2023-04-09