The article argues that Costa Rica must prioritize establishing a robust culture of personal data protection before advancing regulations on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Sigrid Segura, a legislator with experience in open data, emphasizes that these two areas are complementary rather than contradictory. Effective governance requires securing individual privacy while simultaneously ensuring government transparency, creating a foundational balance necessary for modern digital rights. Furthermore, the text highlights a concerning regression in Costa Rica’s commitment to transparency, noting that recent administrative changes have reduced public access to previously available government information. This retreat undermines democratic accountability and leaves citizens vulnerable to digital exploitation. The narrative stresses that true technological progress cannot occur without first addressing basic security needs, urging policymakers to reverse this trend and restore open data platforms to empower the citizenry. This discussion is vital to open data because it defines the essential relationship between transparency and privacy. Open data initiatives fail if they do not coexist with strong personal data protections. By integrating these pillars, societies can foster trust and enable safe innovation, proving that open data is not just about releasing information, but about creating a secure, transparent digital ecosystem that respects individual rights while promoting public oversight.
Source: nacion.comPublished on 2026-07-29