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The article highlights a critical standoff in Mexico, where the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection (INAI) has been paralyzed due to the failure to appoint the required commissioners. Parliamentarians from the ruling party filed an *amicus curiae* brief with the Supreme Court, arguing that this inaction violates citizens’ right to access public information. They contend that the executive branch is intentionally obstructing the institute to maintain opacity, thereby undermining the democratic principles of transparency and accountability. The delay has resulted in a backlog of thousands of pending review requests, effectively paralyzing the institution’s operations. Legislators emphasize that without a legal quorum of commissioners, the INAI cannot function, which directly impacts the protection of personal data and the oversight of government actions. This situation is presented as a severe breach of institutional autonomy, where the will of a single political figure overrides established legal frameworks and the collective decision-making processes necessary for the institute to operate. This issue is highly relevant to open data, as the INAI is the primary guarantor of transparency laws in Mexico. If the institute remains inactive, the flow of public information is restricted, and mechanisms for holding power accountable are weakened. The resolution of this controversy determines whether open data remains an enforceable right or becomes merely symbolic. The outcome will signal the government’s true commitment to digital transparency and the rule of law, affecting both civil society’s access to information and international perceptions of Mexico’s democratic health.

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Published on 2023-06-13

Open Data

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