¡...y lo volvería a hacer!

President López Obrador justified the publication of the personal phone number of the *New York Times*’s Mexico City bureau chief by arguing that his moral and political authority supersedes the General Law for the Protection of Personal Data. This stance, expressed during a morning press conference, implies that leaders possess a privilege over existing regulations when they feel their dignity or that of the country has been violated, setting a precedent where the leader’s will transcends the established legal framework. The relevance of this case for open data is critical, as it undermines the fundamental principle of responsible transparency, which requires that public accountability not compromise individual security or rights. By ignoring guidelines that obligate public officials to protect personal data, the government risks undermining citizens’ trust in institutions. True transparency requires balance, not the indiscriminate exposure of sensitive information under the pretext of political defense, which contradicts international data protection standards. This incident reveals a structural tension between the executive branch and the rule of law, suggesting that privacy regulations are optional for those holding the highest authority. For the open data ecosystem, this represents a significant challenge: without a firm commitment to the law by public officials, the initiative to open information becomes inconsistent and vulnerable to arbitrariness. The protection of personal data should not be sacrificed on the altar of political authority, as doing so weakens the democratic foundation necessary for an informed and just society.

Source: vanguardia.com.mx
Published on 2024-02-25

Open Data

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