
PROJECT 2021
The importance of personal data protection in Paraguay: Actions from various fronts
PROJECT 2019
To stimulate action within civil society aimed at strengthening data protection in Paraguay
PROJECT 2021
The importance of personal data protection in Paraguay: Actions from various fronts
PURPOSE
The project seeks to continue the work started by TEDIC in 2019 on personal data, and aims to enrich the legislative debate in pursuit of a comprehensive personal data protection law in Paraguay, involving various public and private actors.
OBJECTIVE
TEDIC and the Coalición de Datos Personales will develop series of talks aimed at congresspersons; creation of print/digital guides for legislating on matters of protection of personal data; will create the second edition of the legal clinic on digital rights and digital awareness campaigns.

CONTEXT
The lack of a robust regulatory framework on personal data protection has a harmful effect on the lives of people, and the validity of a true rule of law in Paraguay at serious risk.
Indiscriminate sale of personal data for subsequent advertising and commercial use, or workplace discrimination due to abusive collection of sensitive health data such as HIV status, as well as the establishment of intrusive technologies in public spaces without guarantees of safeguarding and control by citizens (for example, facial recognition cameras at border crossings and in the country’s capital) are just a few examples that show the severity of the situation. These alarming signs demonstrate the need for a comprehensive personal data protection program that controls harmful initiatives contrary to human rights.
In this situation, the project is vital to counter these negative, abusive trends that run a serious risk of becoming the norm if they are not addressed comprehensively and from a perspective of human rights.
Uncontrolled sale and purchase of public and private databases continues, with no consequence for public and private actors.

Expected results benefitting the population:
• In-person meetings and webinars with Deputies and Senators to strengthen understanding about the bill.
– The aim is to create spaces for direct discussion with Deputies and Senators[1] to ensure understanding about the internationally accepted principles of personal data protection, through in-person/online talks with the presence of experts from the Coalition and international experts.
• Civil society organizations coordinate and take a stance in favor of the personal data protection law draft bill.
-The aim is a process of dialogue with civil society organizations operating in Paraguay, as well as organizations in the field of human rights and democracy operating in Paraguay, and that are important allies to take into account to maximize support from different sectors through public positions, videos, etc.
• Digital awareness campaign about the importance of personal data protection.
– The aim is to inform the public about the existence of the draft bill in the Chamber of Deputies and the urgency of an informed deliberation on the matter within that Chamber. The goal is an eminently digital campaign with the production of flyers, GIFs and videos. We will also seek to position the Coalición de Datos Personales as an expert on the subject.
• Second edition of the Legal Clinic on Digital Rights of the Universidad Nacional de Asunción.
-We must take advantage of the success of the first edition of the legal clinic, with a view to continuously establishing new abilities at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción School of Law, and specifically in the field of digital rights. Specifically, the aim is to conduct the second edition of the legal clinic based on the alliance already developed in the first cycle of the project, to discuss relevant issues in the subject for the creation of articles by the students.
[1] Dialogue with Senators will be subject to the speed with which that document passes to the Chamber of Senators after it goes through the Chamber of Deputies.
PROJECT 2019
To stimulate action within civil society aimed at strengthening data protection in Paraguay
OBJECTIVE
To promote the creation of a legislative bill on the protection of personal data with participation from the public and private sectors, as well as to advance the presentation of cases in the judiciary and establish a legal clinic for digital rights.

CONTEXT
Paraguay needs a more consolidated and robust ecosystem of personal data protection within its borders. The country faces many challenges related to the lack of adequate regulation, particularly given that there is a history of using mass surveillance technologies, collecting biometric data indiscriminately and installing facial recognition cameras in public spaces without any guarantees or protections regarding the collection of personal data.