Mexico City Updates Security Law, Focusing Citizens and Tech

Technology providers in the security sector now face a new legal landscape in Mexico City following a comprehensive reform that also renames the law governing their products. According to a communication from the city's Congress, the former “Law for Public Security” is now the Law for Citizen Security. This update shifts the legal framework from a state-centric model to one based on citizen rights, establishing new requirements based on human rights, privacy, and inclusive language.

The reform’s justification is rooted in the need to align the legislation with the capital's social and legal evolution. Yuriri Ayala, President, Citizen Security Commission, explained during the bill's presentation that the changes are based on the fact that "Mexico City has distinguished itself by its progressive character and by its commitment to human rights, recognizing diversity and substantive equality."

The amendment, shared through an official congress communication, to the newly named "Law Regulating the Use of Technology for Citizen Security in Mexico City" is part of a broader legislative harmonization effort. This update creates consistency with higher legal frameworks, such as the General Law of the National Public Security System and Mexico City’s Constitution.

The conceptual shift from "Public Security" to "Citizen Security" is at the reform's core. It signals a move from a state-centric approach focused on state power to one centered on protecting individuals and their rights. This new focus positions technology as a tool for prevention and community welfare.

Law Update Details

The law's modernization covers a significant volume of its articles, introducing technical and substantive changes that directly impact operations and regulatory compliance. The most relevant modifications are:

• Update of Sanction Units: The reform replaces the use of minimum wages as a reference for economic sanctions with the Measurement and Update Unit (UMA). This adjustment is critical for calculating fines and bonds, providing a standardized financial framework aligned with federal legislation. Companies operating under this regulation must update their risk and compliance matrices to reflect this change.

• Alignment of Institutional Nomenclatures: The law was updated to reflect the correct names of current authorities and legal ordinances. 

• Incorporation of Human Rights and Gender Perspective: The reform eliminates the concept of "individual guarantees" to adopt "human rights," in line with the 2011 federal constitutional reform. Additionally, it integrates inclusive language to "eliminate discrimination and gender stereotypes." For technology providers, this means their systems, for example facial recognition algorithms or predictive analysis, will face stricter scrutiny to ensure they do not perpetuate discriminatory biases.

The reform has an extensive scope, affecting more than 30 articles, among them Articles 1, 2, 4, 6, 13, 18, 23, 33, and 45. Following this approval, Mexico City's government agencies are expected to adapt their internal regulations and bidding criteria for technology procurement. Companies in the sector must review their platforms, privacy policies, and commercial positioning to align with this new legal paradigm.