Digital identity and data regulation in Latin America

Mexico and Ecuador have begun implementing digital identity solutions to streamline administrative and legal procedures. In the State of Mexico, authorities confirmed that digital birth certificates using QR codes and electronic signatures hold the same legal validity as those on security paper. Ecuador introduced a digital ID card via the Gob. EC platform, which serves as a legal alternative to physical cards for public and private transactions.

Following these developments, Peru and Ecuador have introduced further regulations regarding digital data and technology. Peru’s National Superintendency of Public Registries approved a policy for the ethical use of artificial intelligence to improve registry services, noting that AI is intended as a support tool rather than a replacement for human judgment. Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Superintendency of Personal Data Protection issued new rules for biometric data, such as facial recognition and fingerprints. These regulations classify biometrics as sensitive personal data, requiring entities to conduct regular risk analyses and provide non-biometric alternatives to citizens.