Although it was passed in March 2012, more recently Mexico’s Geo-location Act, which gives the Attorney General's Office (PGR) the power to track suspects in cases of organized crime, kidnapping or extortion without needing the permission of a judge, has been garnering more attention.
Due to public pressure, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) brought an action challenging the constitutionality of this law, which is still under discussion by the Supreme Court. But what violates our human rights? We’ll let Batman explain:
FACT:
In the most basic sense, geo-location is a GPS system (Global Positioning System) that combines geographic data with software and hardware. For several years now, all smartphones have include GPS so users can find their location on a map, plan routes and find places or people.
However, this could become a massive spying tool as any private institution, government or police organization could know your location in real time and use this information irresponsibly, resulting in a serious violation of citizens by their own government.
FANTASY BECOMES REAL??
In the movie “The Dark Knight”, Batman used a system similar to geo-location to finally catch the elusive Joker. In desperation, the hero decides to grant the full power of this information (location and data) to one of his closest allies: Lucius Fox, who says he will only use this technology once because, “with every great power comes great responsibility.”
Although the ethics and morals of Batman may have been corrupted during this instance, there was a still a sensible voice that recognized the power of violating human rights in the effort to undermine organized crime.
THE GRIM REALITY:
Unlike the movie The Dark Knight, with the Geo-location Act our right to privacy has been given away in exchange for the idea of a safe utopia, which means that we have opened the door for the police to freely locate anyone at any time. Is it worth sacrificing our rights to support an outdated judicial system in crisis? Many think not.
As in Gotham, our justice system is flawed from its foundations, leaving most crimes unpunished and prisons that are overcrowded with the innocent. Crime and insecurity are linked to government policies and economic models that for years have led to widespread corruption and ineffective policing and government that has created a vicious cycle systemic exploration that effects Mexicans from every part of the country at every socio-economic level.
Are the possible benefits against organized crime something that you’re willing to compromise your rights for with the Geo-location Act? Leave me your comments below and start the debate.
Jorge Chavez is Senior Editor at Mijo! Brands of Mexico.