Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies is set to decide next Tuesday, August 11, whether to insist on or definitively archive a bill that grants the National Police access to footage from private security cameras installed by citizens. The proposal, authored by Colorado Party deputy Yamil Esgaib, has already been rejected by the Senate.
The bill "regulating the use of video cameras by public forces with citizen participation" establishes that the installation of cameras facing the street or public spaces will require prior authorization from the National Police. While exempting closed-circuit systems inside residences from this obligation, the text requires owners to provide access to recordings whenever requested by police authorities.
The proposed legislation does not define retention periods for images or clear sanctions for citizens who refuse to cooperate. The penalty regime mentioned in the bill applies only to police officers who alter or leak recordings obtained from third parties.
Another point of concern is the discretion granted to the state to store images indefinitely. To request the deletion of this material, citizens would need to file a habeas data petition.
The bill has a favorable opinion for accepting the Senate's rejection and has a final treatment deadline of August 18. If not voted on by that date, it will be considered archived.
Critics fear the measure could allow the use of private cameras for mass surveillance without specific legal justification, reminiscent of practices during Alfredo Stroessner's dictatorship, now enhanced by modern technology instead of human informants. The concern is amplified by the current political context, with uncorroborated allegations about supposed persecution of opponents.