Paraguay's Secrecy on Facial Recognition Challenged at Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Paraguay’s civil society organization TEDIC (Technology, Education, Development, and Communication Association), and the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) filed a joint complaint against the Paraguayan government with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on June 19, 2026. The complaint is based on the government’s alleged undue secrecy surrounding the use of facial recognition technology implemented for security and surveillance purposes.

The issue dates back to 2019 when Paraguay’s Ministry of the Interior and National Police installed surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition systems in the capital city of Asunción. Maricarmen Sequera, TEDIC’s executive director and a lawyer, submitted a request for information to the Ministry of the Interior, seeking details on protocols for system implementation, methods of handling personal data, whether human rights and data protection impact assessments were conducted, and measures to prevent misuse or risks.

The Paraguayan government responded by refusing to disclose most of the requested information, citing “national security confidentiality” as the reason for withholding details about the implementation, protocols, and handling of personal data. TEDIC sought legal action in domestic courts to challenge the government’s secrecy, but the proceedings were prolonged, and the final judgment upheld the decision to withhold the information.

Complaint Filed Under Inter-American Human

Rights Standards

The current complaint is based on the “right of access to information” as enshrined in the American Convention on Human Rights. It argues that even security-related information should be subject to transparency to citizens and that the Paraguayan authorities’ denial of Sequera’s information request constitutes a violation of this fundamental right.

The complaint also alleges that the denial of access to information infringes on privacy rights and the “right to informational self-determination.” It underscores the government’s responsibility to allow citizens to know how their biometric data is being collected, processed, stored, and disposed of, arguing that this right is being unjustly denied.

According to an article on EFF’s Deeplinks blog, the complaint urges the commission to order the Paraguayan government to disclose the withheld information. It also calls for mandatory “proactive transparency” mechanisms concerning government procurement, contracting, implementation, funding, and operation of surveillance technologies. In particular, it emphasizes the need for preemptive human rights impact assessments for technologies involving biometric data and artificial intelligence systems.

Transparency Issues Across Latin America

EFF Deeplinks points out that the case in Paraguay is “not an exception” but rather indicative of a broader trend of opacity regarding security and surveillance technologies across Latin America. The lack of transparency in these areas is described as a “troubling norm” throughout the region. Governments frequently adopt surveillance technologies without adequately informing citizens or ensuring parliamentary oversight.

Facial recognition technology, in particular, is noted for its inherent challenges. Once implemented, it is difficult to monitor its use externally, increasing the risk of misuse. Surveillance systems initially introduced under the pretense of public safety have been repeatedly criticized worldwide for being repurposed for political repression or targeting specific groups.

Through this complaint, the EFF aims for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to set a precedent by ordering Paraguay to disclose the requested information. The organization hopes this will promote greater transparency in surveillance technology across Latin America. While the commission’s decision may not have legal binding power over other countries in the region, it is expected to exert significant normative influence.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, should the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights accept and proceed with the complaint, the Paraguayan government will likely face increased pressure to disclose information. Surveillance systems lacking transparency not only erode public trust but also carry tangible risks, such as wrongful arrests and data breaches. Moving forward with such technologies without democratic oversight complicates society’s ability to assess their risks comprehensively. In this regard, this case could serve as a critical litmus test for the governance of surveillance technologies in Latin American countries.

From a long-term perspective, the regulatory framework for facial recognition technologies may see reinforcement under international human rights law. While the European GDPR and Japan’s Personal Information Protection Act provide robust models for such frameworks, many regions in Latin America lack similar structures. The Inter-American Commission’s decision in this case could serve as a starting point for new normative standards. Requiring preemptive impact assessments for biometric data collection could increase the costs of implementing such technologies but would also ensure robust mechanisms for protecting citizens’ rights.

As a question from the editorial team, we must also consider whether the balance between information transparency and privacy protection is adequately addressed in developed countries, including Japan, where law enforcement agencies are also advancing the adoption of facial recognition systems.

References

• EFF, TEDIC and CEJIL Challenge Secrecy in the Use of Face Recognition in Paraguay — Published on June 25, 2026