wwwfreedomonthenetorg

FREEDOM ON THE NET2017

Key Developments June 2016 ndash May 2017

Fouryearsafterintroducingreformstoreshapethetelecommunicationsindustrypricesfortelecommunicationsserviceshavedecreasedandinternetpenetrationincreased(seeldquoAvailability and Ease of Accessrdquo)

Aseriesofrevelationsrenewedconcernsaboutillegalsurveillancepracticesinthecountryasspyingsoftwaresoldtothegovernmentabusivelytargetedhumanrightslawyersjournalistsandactivists(SeeldquoSurveillance Privacy and Anonymityrdquo)

AtleasttwoonlinereporterswerekilledPhysicalandtechnicalviolencecontinuedtofrequentlytargetdigitalmediacoveringsensitivestoriessuchascrimecorruptionandhumanrightsviolations(seeldquoIntimidation and ViolencerdquoandldquoTechnical Attacksrdquo)

Mexico2016 2017

Internet Freedom Status Partly Free

Partly Free

ObstaclestoAccess(0-25) 8 7

LimitsonContent(0-35) 10 10

ViolationsofUserRights(0-40) 20 22

TOTAL (0-100) 38 39

0=mostfree100=leastfree

Population 1275 million

Internet Penetration 2016 (ITU) 595 percent

Social MediaICT Apps Blocked No

PoliticalSocial Content Blocked No

BloggersICT Users Arrested Yes

Press Freedom 2017 Status Not Free

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IntroductionWhileaccesshassteadilyimprovedMexicorsquosinternetfreedomenvironmentdeclinedduetorevelationsconcerninggovernmentspywareusedagainsthumanrightslawyersjournalistsandactivists

MexicorsquostelecommunicationsreformhasinducedsomechangesinMexicorsquosICTmarketbyreducingbarriersforforeigninvestmentandslashingpricesfortelecommunicationservicesInJanuary2017thegovernmentformallysignedapublic-privatepartnershiptodeploytheRedCompartidaprojectawholesalewirelessbroadbandnetworkexpectedtoboostcompetitionandexpandcoveragetounderservedareasNeverthelessMexicostillfaceschallengesinitsquesttoincreasecompetitionandextendinternetaccesstoallcitizensasregionalanddisparitiesbetweenurbanandruralpopulationscreateastarkdigitaldivide

HighlevelsofviolenceagainstjournalistscontinuedtoseverelylimitinternetfreedomDuringthisperiodonlinepublicationssufferedcyberattacksandatleasttworeporterscoveringsensitivestoriesonlinewerekilledandmanymorereceiveddeaththreatsandintimidatingmessagesonlineWhilecitizenscontinuedtousedigitaltoolstoprotestagainstimpunitycorruptionandgenderviolenceonlinemanipulationremainedaprominentphenomenoninMexicorsquosdigitalsphereInearly2017socialprotestsagainstthesteephikeingaspricesweresoondelegitimizedbysocialmediamessagespromotingvandalismandchaos

Usingthetensesecuritysituationandthewarondrugsasjustification thegovernmenthasincreaseditssurveillancepowersAseriesofinvestigationshaveshedlightonMexicorsquosmisuseofdigitalspyingtechnologiesintendedtopursuecriminalsandterroristsAsofAugust2017CitizenLabandMexicanpartnerorganizationshaddocumentedatleast21casesofabusivetargetingofjournalistshumanrightslawyersactivistsandpoliticalfigu eswiththespyingsoftwarePegasusdevelopedbytheIsraelicompanyNSOGroupandsoldexclusivelytogovernments

Obstacles to Access

The implementation of the 2014 Telecommunications Law has brought tangible benefits for internet access in Mexico by slashing prices of telecommunications services and promoting important investments in infrastructure Nevertheless concentration is still high and the real-world impact of these changes in some parts of the country remains to be seen as the country still suffers from a wide digital divide between urban and rural communities

Availability and Ease of Access

FouryearsafterintroducingreformstoreshapethetelecommunicationsindustryMexicohasnotedsometangibleimprovementsintermsofexpandinginternetconnectivitygreatercompetitionandpricereductions1Internetandmobilepenetrationrateshavecontinuedtosteadilyincrease

TelecommunicationsreformspromotedbyPresidentEnriquePentildea-Nietoin2013soughttosubstantiallyreshapethetelecommunicationsindustryandincreaseaccessThereformpackage

1 InstitutoFederaldeTelecomunicaciones(IFT)ldquoTelecommunicationsinMexicoThreeYearsAftertheConstitutionalReformrdquoJune2016httpbitly29zZ5zh

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MEXICO

seekstodevelopaSharedNetwork(RedCompartida)andBackboneNetwork(RedTroncal)toimprovequalityaffordabilityandcoverageoftelecommunicationservicesacrossthecountryInJanuary2017thegovernmentformallysignedapublic-privatepartnershiptodeploytheRedCompartidaprojectawholesalewirelessbroadbandnetworkexpectedtostartoperatingin2018Thisnetworkwouldofferdatacapacitytootheroperatorsandexpandcoveragetoregionsthatlackservices2

Key Access Indicators

Internet penetration (ITU)a 2016 5952015 5742011 372

Mobile penetration (ITU)b 2016 882015 852011 79

Average connection speeds (Akamai)c 2017(Q1) 75 Mbps2016(Q1) 59 Mbps

aInternationalTelecommunicationUnionldquoPercentageofIndividualsUsingtheInternet2000-2016rdquohttpbitly1cblxxYbInternationalTelecommunicationUnionldquoMobile-CellularTelephoneSubscriptions2000-2016rdquohttpbitly1cblxxYcAkamaildquoStateoftheInternet-ConnectivityReportQ12017rdquohttpsgooglTQH7L7

WhileMexicorsquosmobilepenetrationisstillbehindothercountriesintheregionthenumberofsmartphoneusershasincreasedsignificantl Some81millionpeoplearemobilephoneusersofwhich60millionuseasmartphone3Pricesformobiletelecommunicationshavedroppedsignificantly accordingtotheOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD)thepriceforapackageof100callsand500MBdeclinedby65percentsince2013from$44to$15(inUSDPurchasingPowerParity)whereasapackageof900callsand3GBdroppedfrom$101to$254Theprevalenceofsmartphonesisdueinparttoadecreaseinpricesformobilephoneusetheincreasingavailabilityofsmartphonesandpromotionsthatnarrowthepricegapbetweenbasicphonesandsmartphones5

DespiteinitiativestoincreaseconnectivitythedigitaldividebetweenurbanandruralregionsinMexicoremainedsignificant 6While47percentofhomeshadinternetconnectionsin201678percenthigherthanthepreviousyeartheproportionofhomeswithinternetconnectionsinsomeofthepooreststateshasonlyimprovedslightly7In2016onlythestatesofBajaCaliforniaSurandSonoraenteredthegroupofstateswithapenetrationabove70percentOntheotherhandChiapas

2 ldquoFirmancontratoparadesplegarRedCompartidadetelecomunicacionesenMeacutexicordquoEl Confidencial (EFE) January242017httpbitly2hlmo683 InstitutoNacionaldeEstadiacutesticayGeografiacutea(INEGI)ldquoAumentanusodeInternetteleacutefonosinteligentesyTVdigitalrdquo[IncreaseintheuseofInternetsmartphonesanddigitalTV]National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households(ENDUTIH)March142017httpbitly2mNucRu4 ldquoOECDTelecommunicationandBroadcastingReviewofMexico2017rdquohttpwwwoecdorgstiOCDE-IFT-ENG-[Print]_lightpdf5 ldquoPreciosdetelefoniacuteamoacutevildelosmaacutesbajosen1T16rdquo[MobiletelephonepricesthelowestinQ12016]El Financiero April142016httpbitly1NjfRpc6 ChristineMurrayldquoAsMexicolaudstelecomreformruralpoorsearchforconnectionrdquoReuters October272016httpreutrs2f5JiP4ReneacuteCruzGonzaacutelezldquoSinaccesoaInternetmaacutesde14millonesdecampesinoseindiacutegenasrdquo[WithoutaccesstotheInternetmorethan14millionpeasantsandindigenouspeople]MVS NoticiasMarch212016httpbitly2r5lfSW7 InstitutoNacionaldeEstadiacutesticayGeografiacutea(INEGI)ldquoAumentanusodeInternetteleacutefonosinteligentesyTVdigitalrdquo[IncreaseintheuseofInternetsmartphonesanddigitalTV]National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households(ENDUTIH)March142017httpbitly2mNucRu

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andOaxacarecordedapenetrationrateof206and133percentrespectively8

SuchdisparateconnectivityratesarealsoevidentintherelativelysmallpercentageofinternetuserswithbroadbandaccessAlthoughthenumberofMexicanswithbroadbandsubscriptionshasincreasedoverthepastdecadegrowingfrom272percentin2006to1276percentin20169Mexicostillfallssignificantl belowthebroadbandpenetrationratesofotherOECDcountriesaveraging2976percent10Whilepricesformobilebroadbandserviceshavedropped highequipmentcostsandgeographicaldispersioncontinuetoposechallenges11

Whileitistruethatthenumberofusershasincreaseddigitalinclusionprogramscontinuedtofacechallengesinreducingthedigitaldivide12ProgramssuchasConnectedMexico(MeacutexicoConectado)whichseekstobringbroadbandinternettolowincomepopulationsfreeofchargehaverecentlybeenaffectedbyfinancia constraintsInSeptember2016theOffic ofTelecommunicationsandTransportannouncedan80percentbudgetcutin2017fortheprogram13

Ethnicandlinguisticdividesarealsosignificant Accordingtothelatestrecords14millionindigenouspeopleandfarmersweredisconnected14CivilsocietygroupshavecomplainedthatdespitetelecommunicationsreformscurrentICTpoliciesdonotguaranteeeffectiveaccessformarginalizedcommunities15Ontheotherhand2016sawahistoricmovetowardscreatinganautonomouscommunitariantelecommunicationsnetworkInanunprecedentedeventtheregulatorgrantedtwoconcessionstoanonprofi grouprepresentingindigenousandruralcommunitiestooperateatelecommunicationsnetworkWiththisconcessionatleast356municipalitiesinthestatesofChiapasGuerreroOaxacaPueblaandVeracruzhomeofMixeMixtecandZapoteccommunitieswouldbeabletoaccessmobiletelephonyandinternetservices16

Restrictions on Connectivity

Therewerenorecordedactivitiesorpublicincidentsrelatedtogovernment-imposedrestrictionsonICTconnectivityduringthiscoverageperiodArticle190inthe2014TelecommunicationsLawhoweverauthorizestheldquoappropriateauthorityrdquowithintheMexicangovernmenttorequestthe

8 InstitutoNacionaldeEstadiacutesticayGeografiacutea(INEGI)ldquoAumentanusodeInternetteleacutefonosinteligentesyTVdigitalrdquo[IncreaseintheuseofInternetsmartphonesanddigitalTV]National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households(ENDUTIH)March142017httpbitly2mNucRu9 OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment(OECD)ldquoHistoricaltimeseriesfi edandwirelessbroadbandpenetrationQ22016rdquoOECD Broadband PortalJune2016httpbitly2ppAM3L10 OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment(OECD)ldquoHistoricaltimeseriesfi edandwirelessbroadbandpenetrationQ22016rdquoOECD Broadband PortalJune2016httpbitly2ppAM3L11 MiriamPosadaGarciacutealdquoMeacutexicodelosmaacutesrezagadosenaccesoalatelefoniacuteamoacutevilrdquo[Mexicobehindtheaverageinmobiletelephony] La JornadaApril32017httpbitly2nADQFk12 JoseacuteMerinoandMarianoMuntildeozldquoMeacutexicoConectadomaacutesinternautasmismasbrechasrdquo[ConnectedMexicomoreinternetuserssamegaps]Horizontal mxJanuary252017httpbitly2q6VrbV13 CarlaMartiacutenezldquoMeacutexicoConectadoconrecortedehasta80rdquo[ConnectedMexicowithabudgetcutof80]ElUniversalSeptember122016httpelunimx2clhN0Z14 ReneacuteCruzGonzaacutelezldquoSinaccesoaInternetmaacutesde14millonesdecampesinoseindiacutegenasrdquo[WithoutaccesstotheInternetmorethan14millionpeasantsandindigenouspeople]MVS NoticiasMarch212016httpbitly2r5lfSW15 EnjambreDigitalldquoOrganizacionesdelasociedadcivilmexicanaenIGF2016denunciagravesviolacionesaderechoshumanosrdquo[MexicancivilsocietyorganizationsinIGF2016denounceseriousviolationsofhumanrights]EnjambreDigitalDecember52016httpbitly2qAwdUi 16 Giovanna Salazar ldquoLa emancipacioacuten mediaacutetica en Meacutexico da un paso adelante con red de telecomunicaciones para uso social indiacutegenardquo [Media emancipation in Mexico takes a step forward with the indigenous social use of telecommunications] Global Voices July 22 2016 httpbitly2r9u7aW

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suspensionoftelephoneserviceinordertoldquohaltthecommissionofcrimesrdquo17

AlthoughthemajorityofthebackboneinfrastructureinMexicoisprivatelyownedthestate-ownedcompanyTelecommhastakenongreatercontroloftheinfrastructureaftertakingoverfibe -opticinfrastructurefromtheFederalElectricityCommission18Mexicohasonlyoneinternetexchangepoint(IXP)setupbyKIONetworksinApril2014whichincreasesefficienc andreducescostsforMexicanISPsbyhelpingtomanagetraffi acrossnetworks19

ICT Market

MexicorsquosrecentreformshavesoughttoimprovetheICTmarketbyreducingmarketdominanceandbarriersforinvestmentUnderconstitutionalreformstothetelecommunicationssectorsignedin201320companiesareprohibitedfromcontrollingmorethan50percentofthemarketTheTelecommunicationsLawpublishedinJuly2014allowedIFTtotakemeasurestoreducethemarketdominanceofAmeacutericaMoacutevilrsquosholdingsinthemobile(Telcel)andfi ed-line(Telmex)market

DespiteregulatoryactionstheICTmarketremaineddominatedbyafewagents21Bythefourthquarterof2016AmeacutericaMoacutevil(Telmex)continuedtodominatethefi edbroadbandmarket(575percent)followedbyGrupoTelevisa(215percent)andMegacable(133percent)AmeacutericaMoacutevil(Telcel)alsodominatedthemobilebroadbandmarket(718percent)followedbyTelefoacutenica(142percent)andATampT(124percent)22

Competitionisexpectedtoincreasewiththelaunchofthesharedwholesalewirelessnetwork(RedCompartida)in2018InJanuary2017theAltaacutenconsortiumapublic-privatepartnershipwascontractedtomanagetheRedCompartida23TheprojectiscoordinatedbytheMinistryofCommunicationsandTransport(SCT)andtheFederalInstituteofTelecommunications(IFT)ThisnetworkaimstodelivermobilevoiceanddataservicestounderservedareasandwillbeavailableforuseinMarch201824

Regulatory Bodies

In2013thegovernmentestablishedanewautonomousregulatoryagencyknownastheFederalTelecommunicationsInstitute(IFT)aspartofaconstitutionalreforminordertoincrease

17 Artiacuteculo 189-190 de Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusioacutenrdquo [Art 189-190 o Federal Telecommunications and Radio Law] httpbitly1zCzcYq18 Peralta ldquoTelecomm venderaacute conectividad de fibra oacuteptica en 2015rdquo [Telecomm will sell fiber optic connectivity in 2015] Expansioacuten December 11 2014 httpbitly2deO11919 Julio Saacutenchez Onofre ldquoPrimer IXP in Mexico una realidadrdquo El Economista April 30 2014 httpbitly1h3UAQG SeealsoldquoInauguracioacutendelprimerIXPmexicanordquo[Inaugurationofthefi stIXP]April302014httpbitly1ULslbw20 ldquoMexicanSenateapprovestelecoms-reformbillrdquoAl JazeeraMay12013httpbitly1KOyU3JSeealsoDoliaEstevez

ldquoMexicorsquosCongressPassesMonopoly-BustingTelecomBillThreateningTycoonCarlosSlimrsquosEmpirerdquoForbesMay12013httponforbes1iFp4cQ21 Adriaacuten Arias ldquoMonopolios mantienen su dominio en telecomunicacionesrdquo [Monopolies maintain their dominions within the telecommunications sector] Croacutenica April 16 2017 httpbitly2ra3umt The Competitive Intelligence Unit (CIU) ldquoSector Convergente -Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusioacuten en el Marco de Revisioacuten de la Preponderancia[ConvergentSector-TelecommunicationsandBroadcastingwithintheframeworkofPreponderanceRevision]2016httpbitly2oqFgp822 FederalTelecommunicationsInstitute(IFT)ldquoCuartoInformeTrimestralEstadiacutestico2016rdquo[Fourthquarterlystatisticalreport2016]May2017httpsgooglQRTJa323 Altaacuten Redes ldquoPropuestardquo [Proposal] 2017 httpbitly2i1hLwZ 24 BuddleldquoMexicoMobileInfrastructureBroadbandOperatorsStatisticsandAnalysesrdquoMay2017httpbitly2qrAwyy

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transparencyofmediaregulation25IFThasthelegalmandatetoactasanantitrustbodyprotectingtheindustryagainstmonopolisticpractices

AftersecondarylegislationwasapprovedinJuly2014IFTbeganactingonitsmandatetounilaterallypunishnoncompetitivepracticesthroughthewithdrawalofcorporationsrsquolicensestheapplicationofasymmetricregulationandtheunbundlingofmediaservices26ThemostnotablesteptakenbyIFTwasthedeclarationthatAmeacutericaMoacutevilandTelevisaweredominantcompaniesHoweverIFTreceivedcriticismforauthorizingTelceltoexclusivelyexploit60MHzofthe25GHzband27AssociationssuchastheTelecommunicationsLawInstitute(IDET)andtheCompetitiveIntelligenceUnit(CIU)denouncedthatthismoveinfactreinforcedthedominantplayercontradictingIFTrsquosmandatetoguaranteecompetitionandequalconditionsforallagentsinthesector28

Limits on Content

Harassment and physical violence has encouraged a climate of self-censorship among journalists and online activists although many continue to risk physical danger in order to write about crime and corruption While citizens continued to use digital tools to protest against impunity and corruption online manipulation has continued to be an ongoing phenomenon in Mexicorsquos digital sphere In early 2017 social protests against the steep hike in gas prices were delegitimized by social media messages promoting vandalism and chaos

Blocking and Filtering

Noevidencehasbeendocumentedthatthegovernmentorotheractorsblockedorfil eredinternetandotherICTcontent

HowevertherewasatleastonecaseofagovernmentalinstitutiontheMexicanInstituteofIndustrialPropertyattemptingtoblockthewebsitemymusiiccombecauseofallegedcopyrightviolationsInApril2017theSupremeCourtofJusticedeclaredthattheordertoblockanentirewebsitewasunconstitutionalasitwasconsideredadisproportionatemeasurethatviolatedfreedomofexpression29

Socialnetworkingsitesandinternationalblog-hostingservicesareavailableinMexicoNeverthelesstechnicalattacksagainstmediaoutletsareincreasingasameanstolimitaccesstocontent(SeeTechnicalAttacks)

Content Removal

25 JuanMontesldquoMexicoTelecomsReformBillAdvancesrdquoThe Wall Street Journal March222013httponwsjcom1LXSc6E26 ViacutectorPavoacuten-VillamayorldquoIfetellamayorapuestaentelecomunicacionesrdquo[IfetelTheBiggestBetinTelecommunications]Forbes MeacutexicoApril252013httpbitly1JyL0Mr27 CarlaMartinezldquoEspectroautorizadoaTelcelnoafectalacompetenciaIFTrdquo[ThespectrumauthorizedtoTelceldoesnotaffectcompetitionIFT]El Universal May42017httpelunimx2qJKz4r28 Ernesto Piedras ldquoEmpoderando maacutes al preponderanterdquo [Empowering the preponderant] El Economista May 10 2017 httpswwweleconomistacommxopinionEmpoderando-mas-al-preponderante-20170510-0008html 29 DianaLastirildquoGovernmentcanrsquotblockwebpagesbycopyrightCourtrdquoEl UniversalApril192017httpelunimx2pss7xh

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WhiletheMexicangovernmentdoesnotsystematicallyrequesttheremovalofonlinecontentfromintermediariesnewssitesandhostingservicessomesocialmediaplatformsandsearchenginesrecordedanincreaseinremovalrequestsoverthepastyear30FromJulytoDecember2016Facebookregistered25contentrestrictionsrelatedtotheallegedillegalsaleofregulatedgoodsinresponsetorequestsfromtheMexicanFederalCommissionfortheProtectionagainstSanitaryRisk(COFEPRIS)31Twitterregistered3removalrequestsinthesecondhalfof201632

AlthoughthereisnostronglegislativeframeworkonintermediaryliabilityexistinglegislationofferssomeprotectionsfromliabilityforISPsincasesofcopyrightinfringement33ArulingfromtheFederalInstituteofAccesstoInformationandPersonalDataProtection(IFAI)34inJanuary2015threatenedtointroducegreaterliabilityforsearchenginesiftheydidnotcomplywithrequeststoremovesensitivepersonalinformationfromtheirsearchresultsINAIhadruledinfavorofarequestfromabusinessmantoremovelinksfromGooglesearchresultswhichincludedcriticismsofhisfamilyrsquosbusinessdealings35

BothGoogleMexicoandthemediaoutletRevista Fortunamdashthelatter representedbythedigitalrightsgroupR3D(DigitalRightsDefenseNetwork)mdashchallengedtheresolutionInAugust2016atribunalruledinfavorofRevista Fortunarsquos righttobeheard36Thislatestdecisionrescindedthe2015rulingopeningwayforanewprocedureonthematter37ThisresolutionwascelebratedbyNGOsasanexampleofthepublicinterestprevailing38

Media Diversity and Content Manipulation

Localofficial haveoftenbeenaccusedofmanipulatingonlinecontentintheirfavororofharassingorotherwiseattemptingtointimidatejournaliststokeepthemfromwritingaboutissuesoflocalcorruptionandcrime

Theclimateofviolenceandharassmenttowardsthemediacontributestosignifican self-censorshipinstatesheavilyafflic edbyviolenceLocalmediatendtorefrainfromreportingonstoriesaboutdrugtraffickin ordrug-relatedviolenceNeverthelessindependentmediaoutletsstrivetofollowtheirowneditoriallineregardlessofpoliticalorotherkindsofpressures39

30 JulioSaacutenchezOnofreldquoGobiernomexicanocrecevigilanciaenTwitterFacebookyGooglerdquo[MexicangovernmentincreasessurveillanceonTwitterFacebookandGoogle]El Economista May82017httpbitly2qWmmEF31 FacebookldquoSolicitudesdedatosdeMeacutexicordquo[InformationrequestsinMexico]Informe sobre solicitudes gubernamentales July2016-December2016httpbitly2qlvkxB32 TwitterldquoMexicordquoTransparency ReportJuly2016-December2016 httpstransparencytwittercomencountriesmxhtml 33 JoseCamarenaldquoWILMAPMEXICOrdquoTheCenterforInternetandSocietyStanfordLawSchoolhttpstanfordio1MV98kd34 ThiswasthenameoftheinstituteatthetimeoftherulingHoweverinMay2015theinstitutechangeditsnametotheNationalInstituteofTransparencyAccesstoInformationandPersonalDataProtection(INAI)35 LaRazoacutenldquoGooglelitigacontraelIFAIporelderechoalolvidordquo[GooglechallengesIFAIoverrighttobeforgotten]March212015httpbitly1JOkoJz36 See ldquoiexclGanamos Tribunal anula resolucioacuten del INAI sobre el falso laquoderecho al olvidoraquordquo [We won Court overturns INAIrsquos resolution on the false ldquoright to be forgottenrdquo] August 24 2016 httpbitly2ekBFpe and Manu Ureste ldquoDerecho al olvido en internet iquestun derecho censura o un redituable negocio en Meacutexicordquo [RighttobeforgottenontheInternetarightcensorshiporaprofitabl businessinMexico]Animal Poliacutetico September132016httpbitly2cT4QPA37 Joseacute Soto Galindo ldquoFortuna obliga al INAI a discutir sobre Google y los datos personales otra vezrdquo [Fortuna forces INAI to discuss Google and personal data again] El Economista August 25 2016 httpbitly2dn6F5v38 ElEconomistaldquoAnulanresolucioacutendelINAIsobrederechoalolvidordquo[CourtoverturnsINAIrsquosresolutionontherighttobeforgotten]The EconomistAugust242016httpbitly2bCBdgg39 ErnestoArocheEditorLadoBPersonalinterviewMay102017

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Onlinemanipulationanddisinformationcampaignshavebeenarecurringphenomenonsince201240OnlinetrollshavetargetedjournalistsactivistshumanrightsdefendersacademicsorgroupswhoseopinionshavebeencriticalofthegovernmentpoliticalpartiesorpoliticiansTheuseofbotstomanipulateonlinedebateshasbeendocumentedinseveralstudies41AmnestyInternationalhasinturnnotedhowcertaintacticshaveevolvedtomakeitharderforplatformstodistinguishbetweenbotsandrealusers42RumorsormisleadinghashtagsareoftendisseminatedtounderminesocialprotestsonlineInJanuary2017socialunrestagainstthesteephikeingaspriceswassoondelegitimizedbyvandalismandchaosspurredfrommalevolentactorsonsocialmediaDuringtheheightofproteststhehashtagSaqueaUnWalmart(LootAWalmart)gainedprominencealongsidegasolinazo(ldquogasolinazordquoisaMexicanslangwordforthesteepincreaseingasprices)43

Economicconstraintsinfluenc thediversityofmediainMexicoScarcefundingandalackofinterestinonlineadvertisingcreatechallengesforindividualsandnonprofit seekingtoestablishsustainableonlineoutletsinMexicoRelianceonpublicadvertisingrendersindependentmediavulnerabletomanipulationofcontentorclosureduetolackoffunding44althoughitistheformerthatappearstobethemoreperniciousofthetwotrendsInPueblaforexampleindependentmediaorganizationssaythestategovernmentusesacombinationofstatemunicipalanduniversityadvertisingasawaytocontroltheeditorialindependenceoflocalmedia45

Despitesuchchallengeshoweverfinanciall independentdigitalmediaoutletsareappearinginMexicoenrichingthemediaecosystemwithalternativeagendasthatsupporthumanrightsandtherighttoinformation46TheseindependentoutletssuchasLado B anoutletcreatedbyfreelanceandlocaljournalistsinPueblabringnewvoicestothepublicdebateRecentlyLadoBlaunchedacrowdfundingcampaigntofund10openresearchprojectsDigitaloutletAnimal PoliacuteticohasmorethanamillionfollowersonFacebookandTwitterandissuccessfullyexperimentingwithalternativeformsoffinancing 47

ThesocialmedialandscapeinMexicoisverydynamicMexicohasthesecondlargestcommunityofFacebookusersinLatinAmericaafterBrazilmdashandthefi thlargestintheworld48Thenumber

40 EvaSalgadoAndradeldquoTwitterenlacampantildeaelectoralde2012rdquo[Twitterin2012Mexicanelectoralcampaigns]Desacatos May-August2013httpbitly2pQsUUeSopitasldquoAsiacutefuncionaelmillonarionegociodelasFakeNewsenMeacutexicordquo[ThisishowitworksthemillionairebusinessoffakenewsinMexicordquoSopitasApril52017httpbitly2qmQV9m41 PabloSuaacuterez-SerratoMargaretERobertsClaytonADavisFilippoMenczerldquoOntheinfluenc ofsocialbotsinonlineprotestsPreliminaryfinding ofaMexicancasestudyrdquoCornell University LibrarySeptember272016httpbitly2pGMaUW 42 Tanya OrsquoCarroll ldquoMexicorsquos misinformation wars How organized troll networks attack and harass journalists and activists in Mexicordquo January 24 2017 httpsmediumcomamnesty-insightsmexico-s-misinformation-wars-cb748ecb32e9 43 Signa Lab ldquoBattle of the Hashtags Mapping the Online Conversation Surrounding Mexicorsquos Gas Pricesrdquo Global Voices February 15 2017 httpbitly2pGT4cG 44 Alianza Regional ldquoMeacutexicordquo in Control estatal de los medios de comunicacioacuten [State control of media] May 3 2015 57-60 httpbitly1GcRe4F45 ErnestoArocheEditorLadoBPersonalinterviewMay 10 201746 For example Based in Mexico City Pie de Paacutegina is an initiative born from the experience of the Periodistas de a pie networkand Radios Libres a project that seeks to boost communitarian radios with free technologies Another innovative initiative in the digital media landscape is Pictoline born at the end of 2015 Other examples of independent online news outlets in other states are Paacutegina 3 httpbitly2pDS1OE based in Oaxaca and Chiapas Paralelo httpbitly2pP53oJ in Chiapas 47 Tania Lara ldquoPopular Mexican news site Animal Politico seeks to eliminate dependence on government advertisingrdquoJournalism in the Americas Blog Knight Center at the University of Texas Austin April 30 2013 httpbitly1h44YYW Daniela Bermuacutedez ldquoAnimal poliacutetico un sitio basado en contenido en lugar de clicsrdquo El Economista June 18 2016 httpbitly2pE6haf Animal Poliacutetico crowdfunding campaign httpbitly2qpCGP5 48 Notimex ldquoTwitter tiene 353 millones de usuarios en Meacutexicordquo [Twitter has 353 millions of users in Mexico] El Universal March 16 2016 httpelunimx1UgKrBR

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ofTwitterusersinMexicohasballoonedinrecentyearsreaching353millionin201649Usersorgroupsconcernedaboutdataprivacypublishtheircontentonalternativeplatforms50

Articles145and146oftheTelecommunicationsLawestablishprotectionsfornetneutralityHowevernetneutralityisacontentiousissueduetocommercialagreementsthatallowdifferentiatedpricesdependingonthedestinationofinternetconnectionsDuringthecoverageperiodoperatorssuchasTelcelATampTandMovistarreducedtheavailabilityofzero-ratingplansmdashwherecertaindigitalserviceslikeHBONetflix WhatsApporothersocialnetworkingsitesdonotcounttowardsacustomerrsquosdataallowance5152mdashbutstillofferedthematalowerratethanotherservices53IFTfacesachallengetoissuerulesonnetneutralityandtraffi managementinMexico54

Digital Activism

DigitalmediahavecontinuedtoserveasanimportantforumforinternetusersinMexicoEveninthefaceofcyberattacksharassmentandphysicalviolenceusersmakeregularuseofdigitaltoolstoprovidecriticalwarningstolocalcommunitiesaboutdangerouscartel-relatedsituationsandtoprotestinstancesofcorruptionandviolencebyauthoritiespoliticalpartiesanddrugcartels5556

SocialmediachannelshavehelpedtoraiseawarenessandmobilizeprotestsagainstgenderviolenceusingthehashtagNiUnaMenos(Notoneless)everytimeawomaniskilledInApril2017ayoungwomanLesvyBerliacutenOrosiowasfounddeadinthegardensoftheNationalAutonomousUniversitythebiggestpublicuniversityinthecountryOfficia declarationsfromtheoffic ofthepublicprosecutoronTwitterrevealedprivateinformationaboutherandindirectlyblamedherforherownmurderprovokingoutrageamongthousandsofMexicans57TheuniversitycommunityNGOsandwomenjoinedtheonlinecampaignSimematan(ldquoIftheykillmerdquo)tosharedetailsfromtheirprivatelivesthatcouldbeusedtosmearthemiftheywerevictimsoffemicidesuchasgoingoutalonewearingaskirthighheelsortakingataxi58Thisprotestwasoneofmanyreactionstoarecentsurgeingenderviolenceinthecountry

SocialmediausershavealsodecriedviolenceagainstjournalistsinthecountryOnMay15Javier

49 The Competitive Intelligence Unit (CIU) ldquoUso de Redes Sociales al 3T16rdquo [Social Networks Use 3T16] 2016 httpbitly2g0wKtO50 Eheacutecatl Cabrera Franco ldquoRedes sociales libres en la universidad puacuteblicardquo [Free social media on public universities] Revista Digital Universitaria (Universidad Nacional Autoacutenoma de Meacutexico) January 1 2017 httpbitly2pDY6uA 51 Antonio Cahun ldquoiexclAdioacutes redes sociales ilimitadas Telcel y Movistar hacen cambios en sus serviciosrdquo [Goodbye to illimited social media access Telcel and Movistar change their service policies] Xataka Meacutexico July 5 2016 httpbitly2ralO1m 52 Alejandro Gonzaacutelez ldquoElimina ATampT redes sociales ilimitadasrdquo [ATampT cancels illimited social media access] Media Telecom February 18 2017 httpbitly2rafpn3 53 ATampT ldquoATampT Unlimited Plusrdquo ATampT httpsocattcom2rjJ2i6 54 Red en Defensa de los Derechos Digitales ldquoNeutralidad de la Red en Meacutexico Del Dicho Al Hechordquo [Net Neutrality in Mexico From Talk to Deed] August 2015 httpbitly1GQtvre55 Damien Cave ldquoMexico Turns to Twitter and Facebook for Information and SurvivalrdquoThe New York Times September 24 2011 httpnytims1JySbEA Miguel Castillo ldquoMexico Citizen Journalism in the Middle of Drug Trafficking ViolencerdquoGlobal Voices May 5 2010 httpbitly1WtYP8i56 Enrique Galvaacuten Ochoa ldquoLa eleccioacuten del Edomex en redes socialesrdquo [The elections of State of Mexico on social media] La Jornada May 13 2017 httpbitly2qL27xF 57 JLCG ldquoAsamblea pide informes sobre la filtracioacuten en caso de Lesvyrdquo[Legislative Assembly asks for information about leaking on the case of Lesvy] El Universal May 10 2017 httpelunimx2q3NjJj 58 Animal Poliacutetico ldquoSiMeMatan la reaccioacuten de mujeres ante criminalizacioacuten de una joven y que llevoacute a la PGJ a rectificarrdquo [iftheykillme womenrsquos reaction to young women criminalization by PGJ] Animal Poliacutetico May 5 2017 httpbitly2qMJ8i3

9

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Valdezanaward-winningreporterthatfoundedtheweeklynewspaperRiodoce inSinaloabecamethesixthreporterkilledduring201759Valdezwasacriticalvoiceagainstviolenceandtheauthorofseveralbooksaboutdrugcartels60UsingthehashtagsNiunomaacutes(Notonemore)NoalSilencio(SaynotoSilence)andPrensaNoDisparen(Pressdonotshoot)anationalprotestwasorganizedtodemandprotectionforjournalists61SeveraldigitalmediaoutletssuchasAnimal PoliacuteticoNexosand Tercera ViacuteajoinedUndiasinperiodicos(Onedaywithoutnewspapers)onMay16asasignofprotest

Afterrevelationsabouttheillegaluseofgovernmentspyware(seeldquoTechnicalAttacksrdquo)civilsocietyreactedwiththehashtagGobiernoEspiacutea(SpyGovernment)whichbecameaglobaltrendingtopicNumerousmediaoutletscoveredthecaseandtheirreportsweredisseminatedonsocialmediaforseveralweeks62

ThedigitalrightscollectiveEnjambreDigital(DigitalSwarm)hasoperatedaTornodenamedldquoFoucaultrdquofortwoyearswiththeintentionofintroducingLatinAmericanuserstotheservice63whichimprovesanonymityandprivacyontheinternet64

Violations of User Rights

Mexico continued to be one of the most violent environments in the world for online journalists and bloggers and the government has used insecurity as a justification to increase surveillance A series of investigations have shed light on illegal surveillance practices in the country after they revealed how digital spying technologies sold exclusively to governments were abused to target journalists human rights lawyers activists and political figures

Legal Environment

TheMexicanConstitutionguaranteesfreedomofspeechfreedomofthepressandprivacyofpersonalcommunicationsAconstitutionalreformin2013grantedthegovernmentexpandedpowerstocurtailmonopoliesinthetelecommunicationssector(seeldquoICTMarketrdquo)establishedinternetaccessasahumanrightandguaranteednetneutralityATelecommunicationsLawwassubsequentlyapprovedinJuly2014butcontroversialprovisionsthatposearisktoprivacywerelargelyupheldbytheSupremeCourtinMay2016(seeldquoSurveillancePrivacyandAnonymityrdquo)65

Althoughdefamationwasdecriminalizedatthefederallevelin2007criminaldefamationstatutes

59 La Jornada ldquoAsesinan a Javier Valdez corresponsal de La Jornada en Sinaloardquo [Javier Valdez correspondent of La Jornada in Sinaloa was killed] La Jrsquo May 15 2017 httpbitly2rjZMXh 60 Javier Lafuente ldquoAsesinan en Meacutexico a Javier Valdez el gran cronista del narco en Sinaloardquo [Javier Valdez the great chronicler of drug trafficking in Sinaloa killed in Mexico] El Paiacutes May 15 2017 httpbitly2rj7jFc 61 Animal Poliacutetico ldquoConvocan a marchas para exigir justicia por el asesinato del periodista Javier Valdezrdquo [They call for marches to demand justice for the murder of journalist Javier Valdez] Animal Poliacutetico May 15 2017 httpbitly2pRyZji 62 Sofiacutea de Robina Castro amp Pepe Flores SpyGovernment 40 days later R3D July 28 2017 httpsr3dmx20170728gobiernoespia-40-dias-despues 63 Jacobo Naacutejera ldquoAnonimato en Internet El nodo Foucaultrdquo[Anonymity on Internet the Foucault node] Enjambre digital June 20 2016 httpbitly2qpk1CQ 64 Tor Project httpbitly1dZ2zvZ 65 ldquoEl Supremo mexicano avala la retencioacuten de datos de los usuariosrdquo [Supreme Court ratifies retention of user data] El Paiacutes May 6 2016 httpbitly1ryeEk4

10

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MEXICO

continuetoexistatthestatelevel66ThepenalcodeinTabascoforexampleestablishespenaltiesrangingfromsixmonthstothreeyearsofprisonforlibelOtherprovisionsatthelocallevelmaybeequallyproblematicforjournalistssuchasArticle333ofthePenalCodeinChihuahuawhichcriminalizesthosewholdquoforaprofi ortocauseinjuryimproperlyproduceoreditbyanytechnicalmeansimagestextsoraudiowhicharetotallyorpartiallyfalseortruerdquo67

Despitelegislationintendedtoincreasethesecurityofjournalistsandhumanrightsdefendersthegovernmenthashadlittlesuccessindeterringattacksonjournalistsbloggersandactivistswhicharerarelypunishedinacountrythatranksnearthetopinglobalsurveysonimpunity68TheLawfortheProtectionofHumanRightsDefendersandJournalistspassedin2012establishedanewinstitutionalbodyofgovernmentofficial andcivilsocietymemberschargedwithprotectingthreatenedhumanrightsworkersandjournalists69Amongthelawrsquosprovisionsisarequirementthatstategovernmentsworkinconjunctionwithfederalauthoritiestoensurethatprotectioniseffectivelyextendedtothoseunderthreat70HoweveranevaluationmadebycivilsocietyorganizationsinJuly2015pointedtoalackoffundinglackofcoordinationbetweenfederalandstateauthoritiesandwidespreadimpunityinmostcasesofaggressionagainstjournalistsandhumanrightsdefenders71

Prosecutions and Detentions for Online Activities

Whiletherewerenodocumentedcasesofindividualsprosecutedorsanctionedbylawenforcementagenciesonchargesrelatedtodisseminatingoraccessinginformationontheinternetonlinereportershaveriskedharassmentandarrestwhilecoveringdemonstrationsorpoliticaleventssuchaselectoralprocesses

ThewebsitePeriodistasenRiesgo(JournalistsatRisk)recordedatleasttwocasesofdigitalreportersarrestedduringthereportrsquoscoverageperiod

y OnJune52016twodigitalreportersandanotherreportercoveringlocalelectionsinChihuahuaweredetainedbymembersoftheNuevoCasasGrandesChihuahuaMunicipalPoliceCeciliaFuentesreporterforthenewspaperEl NoroesteSaturninoMartiacutenezNavaareporterforLarevistaNCGcomandKarinaHernaacutendezAcuntildeaareporterforAkronoticiaswereattemptingtocovercomplaintsaboutapossiblecaseofvotebuyingbymembersoftheInstitutionalRevolutionaryParty72

66 Commission on Human Rights Congress General of the United States of Mexico Gaceta Parlamentaria Nuacutemero 3757-VIII [ParliamentaryGazetteNo3757-VIII]ThursdayApril252013 httpbitly1NXOcYf See also Committee to Protect Journalists Thomson Reuters Foundation and Debevoise amp Plimpton LLP ldquoMexicordquoin Critics Are Not Criminals Comparative Study of Criminal Defamation Laws in the Americas March 2016 httptmsnrtrs2eAZQiu67 Coacutedigo Penal del Estado de Chihuahua [Penal Code of the State of Chihuahua] updated June 13 2016 httpbitly2dcyGhq See also Gerardo Cortinas Murra ldquoArtiacuteculo 133rdquoEl Diario May 2 2016 httpbitly2dlFVz668 Committee to Protect Journalists ldquoGetting Away with Murder CPJrsquos 2015 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and killers go freerdquoOctober 8 2015 httpbitly1G1HEGQ69 Leah Danze ldquoMexicorsquos Law to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Activists Remains IneffectiverdquoLatin America Working Group June 30 2013 httpbitly1LY0MlV70 PIB and WOLA ldquoEl mecanismo de proteccioacuten para personas defensoras de derechos humanos y periodistas en Meacutexico desafiacuteos y oportunidadesrdquo httpbitly1DNcNwK See also Peace Brigades International ldquoQueacute Hacemosrdquo [What we do] April 15 2015 httpbitly1KOE1kC71 Espacio de OSC ldquoMecanismo Federal de Proteccioacuten a DDHH y periodistas sin respaldo financiero ni voluntad poliacuteticardquo propuestacivicaorg July 28 2015 httpbitly2e7rAIN72 Periodistas en Riesgo ldquoDetienen a reporteros que cubriacutean eleccionesrdquo [Electoral reporters are arrested] Periodistas en Riesgo June 5 2016 httpbitly2epuhbQ

11

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MEXICO

y OnAugust182016ManuelMoralesaphotojournalistforthedigitalnewspaperUltimaacutetumwasarbitrarilydetainedfor24hoursandthreatenedbymunicipalpoliceandescortsoftheLuisMiguelPeacuterezOrtizmayorofPichucalcoinChiapasaftercoveringapublicevent73

Surveillance Privacy and Anonymity

AseriesofrevelationsinvolvingMexicorsquossurveillanceapparatusandtheabuseofdigitalspyingtechnologiesintendedtoinvestigatecriminalsandterroristshaveraisedseriousquestionsaboutillegalsurveillancepracticesinthecountry

AsofAugust2017CitizenLabandMexicanpartnerorganizationshaddocumentedatleast21casesofjournalistshumanrightslawyersactivistsandpoliticalfigu esbeingtargetedwiththespyingsoftwarePegasusThesoftwaredevelopedbytheIsraelicompanyNSOGroupissoldexclusivelytogovernments74InAugust2016CitizenLabreportedthatMexicaninvestigativejournalistRafaelCabrerajournalistforthemediaoutletAristegui Noticiaswastargetedafterreportingonaconflic ofinterestinvolvingthepresidentandfi stladyofMexico75InFebruary2017itwasrevealedthatthreepublichealthadvocatesandresearcherswhowereinvolvedinpromotingataxincreaseforsweeteneddrinkswerealsovictimsofPegasusspyware76ThereportbyCitizenLabconcludedthatNSOrsquosgovernment-exclusiveespionagetoolsmayhavebeenusedbyagovernmententityonbehalfofinterestsotherthannationalsecurityorfightin crime77Moreattackshavebeenuncoveredsincethenespeciallytargetingthoseinvolvedininvestigationsintogovernmentinvolvementincorruptionorhumanrightsabuses78Evidencecollectedsince2011hasshownthattheMexicangovernmentspentatleast$80milliononsuchspywareacrossatleastthreesecurityagencies79

CivilsocietyandseveralinternationalhumanrightsorganizationsaswellasexpertsfromtheInter-AmericanCommissiononHumanRightsandUnitedNationshavecalledonthegovernmentofMexicotoconductanindependentinvestigationintoillegalspying80AsofJuly2017howeverthegovernmenthadnotrespondedtotheirdemands

InJuly2015aleakofinternaldocumentsfromthesurveillancecompanyHackingTeamalsorevealedthatMexicowasthecompanyrsquosbiggestclientworldwidehavingsignedmorethan14contractswithvariousstateandfederalagenciesCivilsocietyorganizationsarguedthatthese

73 Periodistas en Riesgo ldquoDetencioacuten arbitraria de fotoperiodista en Chiapasrdquo [Arbitrary arrest of a photojournalist in Chiapas] Periodistas en Riesgo August 18 2016 httpbitly2stXfxm 74 CitizenLabldquoRECKLESS IV Lawyers for Murdered Mexican Womenrsquos Families Targeted with NSO Spywarerdquo August 2 2017 httpscitizenlabca201708lawyers-murdered-women-nso-group 75 CitizenLabldquoTHEMILLIONDOLLARDISSIDENTNSOGrouprsquosiPhoneZero-DaysusedagainstaUAEHumanRightsDefenderrdquoAugust242016httpscitizenlabca201608million-dollar-dissident-iphone-zero-day-nso-group-uae 76 R3D ldquoDestapa la vigilancia promotores del impuesto al refresco espiados con malware gubernamentalrdquo[Unveil surveillance promoters of the soft drink tax spied on with government malware] R3D February 11 2017 httpbitly2lBDa4S 77 Citizen Lab ldquoBitter Sweet Supporters of Mexicorsquos Soda Tax Targeted With NSO Exploit Linksrdquo Citizen Lab February 11 2017 httpbitly2kWDlVn 78 Citizen Lab ldquoRECKLESS EXPLOIT Mexican Journalists Lawyers and a Child Targeted with NSO rdquoSpywarerdquordquo June 19 2017 httpscitizenlabca201706reckless-exploit-mexico-nso 79 Azam Ahmed and Nicole Perlroth ldquoUsingTextsasLuresGovernmentSpywareTargetsMexicanJournalistsandTheirFamiliesrdquo The New York Times June192017httpnytims2sHyduf Sofiacutea de Robina Castro amp Pepe Flores ldquoGobiernoEspiacutea 40 diacuteas despueacutesrdquo [SpyGovernmen 40 days After] R3D July 28 2017 httpbitly2vfChml 80 Reuters ldquoUN experts seek halt to use of spyware in Mexico and want full proberdquo July 19 2017 httpreutrs2fnMSpL httpwwwoasorgeniachrexpressionshowarticleaspartID=1069amplID=1

12

FREEDOM ON THE NET 2017

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MEXICO

contractswereillegalbecausemanyoftheagenciesinvolvedinthecontractlackconstitutionalorlegalauthoritytoconductsurveillanceorespionage81ThemediaoutletAnimal Politico accusedthestategovernmentofPueblaofusingHackingTeamproductstotargetthepoliticaloppositionandjournalists82

TheMexicangovernmenthasusedthepoorsecuritysituationinthecountryasanexcusetodramaticallyincreasesurveillanceThe2014TelecommunicationsLawexpandedonandpartiallyreplacedpreviouslegislationthatincreasedsurveillanceandallowedforreal-timegeolocationInMay2016theSupremeCourtruledthatrequirementsfordataretentionandreal-timegeolocationincludedinthe2014TelecommunicationsLawwereconstitutionalUnderthatlawArticle189forcescompaniestoprovideusersrsquogeolocationdatatopolicemilitaryorintelligenceagenciesinrealtimeReformstotheNationalCodeonCriminalProcedurepublishedonJune172016nowrequireajudicialwarrantforgeolocationexceptinexceptionalcasessuchaskidnappinginvestigationswhenapersonrsquoslifeorphysicalintegrityisindanger83

Article190similarlyrequiresproviderstomaintainrecordsoftheirusersrsquometadataforaperiodoftwoyearsandgrantsecurityagenciesaccesstometadataatanytime84Digitalactivistshavearguedthatsuchprovisionscontradictinternationalhumanrightsstandardsinparticulartherighttoprivacy85Howevertherulingdidestablishtheneedforajudicialwarranttoaccesshistoricalmetadata86TheSupremeCourtrulingalsoprovidedsomeclarificatio astowhichauthoritiescanaccesssaiduserdatanotablytheFederalProsecutorFederalPoliceandtheauthoritydirectlyinchargeofapplyingandcoordinatingtheNationalSecurityLaw

GovernmentrequeststosocialmediacompaniesforinformationregardingtheirusersincreasedduringthecoverageperiodBetweenJulyandDecember2016Facebookreceived600requestsfromtheMexicangovernmentforinformationrelatedto1032users573oftherequestswereassociatedtolegalprocessesInsome72percentofthecasesFacebookreleasedsomeinformation87DuringthesameperiodTwitterreceived19requests(upfrom6inthepreviousreportingperiod)with21percentofinformationproducedrelatedto33accounts88Googlereceived179requestsfromtheMexicangovernmentfordataon230usersoraccountsThecompanyproducedinformationin54percentofsuchcases89

81 For more information about the revelations of Hacking Teamrsquos operations in Mexico see Julio Saacutenchez Onofre ldquoVulneracioacuten a Hacking Team confirma abuso de espionaje en Meacutexicordquo[Breach of Hacking Team confirms abuse of espionage in Mexico] El Economista July 6 2015 httpbitly1JRDTlA See also Daniel Hernandez and Gabriela Gorbea ldquoMexico is Hacking Teamrsquos Biggest Paying Client -- By FarrdquoVice News July 7 2015 httpbitly1LWGbmO 82 Ernesto Aroche ldquoEl gobierno de Puebla usoacute el software de Hacking Team para espionaje poliacuteticordquo Animal Politico July 22 2015 httpbitly1TQO7rh 83 Coacutedigo Nacional de Procedimientos Penales [National Code on Criminal Procedure] updated June 17 2016 httpbitly2deCKxz84 Artiacuteculo 189-190 de Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusioacuten 85 Global Voices ldquoSuprema Corte en Meacutexico valida retencioacuten de metadatos y geolocalizacioacuten de Ley Telecomrdquo [Supreme Court of Mexico validates data retention and geolocation of the Telecom Law] May 6 2016 httpbitly2d8sicb R3D ldquoLa SCJN y la LeyTelecom Lo malo lo bueno lo absurdo y lo que siguerdquo [The SCJN and Telecom Law the bad the good the absurd and what comes next] May 5 2016 httpbitly2fsPDm086 Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) ldquoInviolabilidad del contenido de las comunicaciones y de los datos que permitan identificarlas segunda salardquo May 4 2016 httpbitly23TtOfR 87 Facebook ldquoMexicordquo Global Government Requests Report July-December 2016 httpbitly2ddCj4e88 Twitter ldquoInformation Requests Mexicordquo Transparency Report July-December 2016 httpbitly2pFHD47 89 Google ldquoUser Data Requests ndashMexicordquoTransparency Report July-December 2016 httpbitly2dQwj1I

13

FREEDOM ON THE NET 2017

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MEXICO

Intimidation and Violence

ThreatsandviolencefromdrugcartelsmembersoflocalgovernmentsandotheractorshavecontinuedtoputjournalistsrsquolivesatriskandcurtailthesafepracticeofjournalismArticle19anNGOreported72onlinethreatsagainstjournalistsin201690In2016ReportersWithoutBordersdeclaredthatMexicoremainedthemostdangerouscountryinLatinAmericaforjournalistsandoneofthemostdangerousintheworldAsofMayof2017itranked147outof180countries91

AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalistsfi ejournalistswerekilled(motiveconfi med)inMexicobetweenJune2016andMay2017Thisincludedatleasttwoonlinereporters

y MaximinoRodriacuteguezwhoreportedoncrimeandpolicemattersfortheblogColectivo Pericuacute inBajaCaliforniaSurwaskilledbyunknownassailantsonApril14201792

y CecilioPinedaBirtowhocontributedtoseveraloutletsandpublishedcrimestoriesonsocialmediawasshotdeadinGuerrerostateonMarch22017Hehadbeenfrequentlythreatenedonsocialmediainretaliationforhisreporting93

Physicalattacksagainstonlinereportersandonlinedeaththreatswerealsofrequentlyreportedduringthisperiod94InlateMay2017attackersthreatenedonlinejournalistCarlosBarriosandcutoffpartofhisearwarninghimagainstfurtherreporting95InJanuary2017journalistHeacutectordeMauleoacutenwhoranacolumnoncrimeandviolenceinatrendyneighborhoodinMexicoCityreceiveddeaththreatsthroughtheslaydenTwitteraccount96Theaggressorwasidentifie asJoseacuteCastrejoacutenanddetainedinMarchAjuryprohibitedCastrejoacutenfromapproachingthejournalistonline97InMarch2017TamaradeAndaabloggerforEl Universal knownunderthealiasldquoPlaquetardquoreceivednumerousinsultshatemessagesanddeaththreatsonsocialnetworksaftershereportedverbalharassmentbyataxidriveronTwitter98

RobberieshavealsosoughttointimidatejournalistsInNovember2016fi epeopleenteredtheoffice ofdigitalmediaoutletAristegui Noticiasandreportedlystolealaptopthatcontainedconfidentia legalinformationaboutthejournalistCarmenAristegui99InMay2017unknownpeople

90 Article 19 ldquoLibertades en Resistencia Informe 2016rdquo[Freedoms in resistance 2016 Report] Article 19 April 6 2017 httpbitly2pE6OsI 91 Reporteros sin fronteras ldquoClasificacioacuten mundial 2017rdquo[World Classification 2017] Reporteros sin fronteras April 26 2017 httpbitly1c2ucyc 92 See httpscpjorgkilled2017maximino-rodriguezphp93 See httpscpjorgkilled2017cecilio-pineda-birtophp94 See for example Aacutelvaro Delgado Goacutemez ldquoUsted estaacute muerto dice una voz Ahora amenazan mediante grabacionesrdquo [Youacutere dead says a voice Now criminals threaten using recordings] Proceso August 25 2016 httpbitly2biLvr0 ARTICLE 19 ldquoContinuacutean las agresiones contra periodistas en Yuriria Guanajuatordquo[Attacks on journalists continue in Yuriria Guanajuato] ARTICLE 19 May 7 2017 httpbitly2pZd9Mg95 Committee to Protect Journalists ldquoReporter threatened and has part of ear cut off in Mexicorsquos Quintana Roo staterdquo June 1 2017 httpscpjorg201706reporter-threatened-and-has-part-of-ear-cut-off-inphp96 Sin Embargo ldquoEl Periodista Heacutector de Mauleoacuten recibe amenazas tras denunciar violencia en la colonia Condesardquo [Journalist Hector de Mauleoacuten receives threats after denouncing violence in Condesa] Sin Embargo September 22 2016 httpbitly2cVK52d97 Juan Antonio Jimeacutenez ldquoPresentan ante autoridades al probable responsable de amenazas a Heacutector de Mauleoacuten con Denise Maerkerrdquo [The suspect of threats against Heacutector de Mauleoacuten and Denise Maerker faces justice] Radio Foacutermula March 2 2017 httpbitly2mk5I2Z 98 Tamara De Anda ldquoCroacutenica de un acoso denunciadordquo [Chronicle of a reported harassment] El Universal March 18 2017 httpelunimx2nT32qf 99 ldquoIrrumpenenoficina deAristeguiyrobancomputadorardquoZoacutecalohttpwwwzocalocommxseccionarticuloirrumpen-en-oficinas-de-aristegui-y-roban-computadora

14

FREEDOM ON THE NET 2017

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MEXICO

brokeintothehomeofpoliticalanalystandbloggerGenaroLozanoTheaggressorsstoleonlyonesymbolicpersonalbelongingAftertheeventhereceiveddeaththreatshomophobicmessagesandintimidationonsocialmedia100DaysbeforetheassaultLozanohadstronglycriticizedcandidatesfortheelectionoftheStateofMexico101

Technical Attacks

TechnicalattackshavebecomeacentraltacticinattemptstosuppressfreedomofexpressioninMexicoandperpetratorsdosowithrelativeimpunity102TheongoingthreatofDistributedDenial-of-Service(DDoS)attackshasledoutletstoenlistthehelpofprojectslikeDeflect asystemdevelopedbyeQualitieaCanadiannonprofi organizationprotectingwebsitesofhumanrightsorganizationsandindependentmediapublications103ThetechniquesinvolvedintheseattacksrangefromDDoSattackshijackingandmalwareinfections104

JournalistsandactivistshavefrequentlyreportedcasesofdigitalsurveillanceandcyberattacksincludingDDoSattacksandmalicioussoftwareofteninretaliationforcoverageofcorruptionorhumanrights-relatedissues

y OnJune292016theoutletMasde131reportedithadbeenunderattacksinceJune15andthatattackershadmanagedtomodifyandeliminatedata105Asubsequentanalysisoftheattackfoundthatabotnetofatleast25000IPaddresseswereweaponizedintheattack106

y OnJune282016theindependentonlineTVportalRompevientotvcomreportedcyberattacksaffectingthewebsiteforseveraldaysbybreachingthesecuritysystemblockingaccesssaturatingthebandwidthofthesiteanderasinginformationOnJuly42016theyreportedthesitehadbeenrecovered107

y OnJune172016student-runcommunityradioRadioZapoteannouncedthataccesstothesitewastemporarilylostbecauseofacyberattackwhichalsodestroyedpartoftheirhistoricalarchive108

100 Genaro Lozano ldquoiquestQueacute les molestardquo [What bothers them] Reforma May 9 2017 httpbitly2qACcZd 101 ARTICLE 19 ldquoAllanan domicilio de periodista que sigue el proceso electoral de Edomexrdquo [Break into journalistrsquos home] May 6 2017 httpbitly2pTUwvo 102 Animal Poliacutetico ldquoAumentan los ataques digitales contra medios de comunicacioacuten en Meacutexico Googlerdquo [Digital attacks against journalists and media on Mexico are on the rise Google] Animal Poliacutetico October 14 2016 httpbitly2dTJann 103 Jacobo Naacutejera ldquoSobrevivir a los ataques de denegacioacuten de servicio distribuidordquo [How to survive DDoS attacks] Enjambre Digital March 25 2017 httpbitly2qpC2RG 104 Jacobo Naacutejera Enjambre Digital Personal Interview May22017105 ldquoEditorial|AtaqueInformaacuteticoSistemaacuteticoContraMasde131ComrdquoMaacutesde131June292016httpswwwmasde131com201606editorial-ataque-informatico-sistematico-contra-masde131-com106 Jacobo Naacutejera ldquoBotnet contra medios independientes en Meacutexicordquo[Btnet against independent media in Mexico] Enjambre Digital August 2 2017 httpbitly2ukGrKP107 Rompeviento TV ldquoRompeviento Tv reanuda transmisionesrdquo[Rompeviento TV renews broadcasting] Rompeviento Tv July 4 2016 httpbitly2vL3BKQ108 ldquoReportaArtiacuteculo19ataquesciberneacuteticosaMaacutesde131yRadioZapoterdquoPagina Abierta httppaginabiertamxreporta-articulo-19-ataques-ciberneticos-a-mas-de-131-y-radio-zapote

15