Short answer
What you should know before deciding
The public availability of data does not eliminate the obligations of purpose, proportionality, security and information.
Essential points
- Defines a specific and legitimate purpose.
- Inform the treatment through a privacy notice.
- Collect only necessary data.
- Protects, limits conservation and allows ARCO rights.
01
There is no universal answer
Legality depends on who is investigating, for what purpose, what data is processed, where it comes from and how it is used. A specific search is not equivalent to the systematic treatment of a file.
02
Current law
The LFPDPPP published on March 20, 2025 and reformed on November 14, 2025 regulates the legitimate, controlled and informed processing of personal data held by individuals.
03
Public source does not mean unlimited use
The fact that data can be consulted does not authorize any reuse. Purpose, proportionality, quality, information, security and other applicable principles must be respected.
04
Sensitive data and decisions
Sensitive categories require special caution. In employment, housing and contracting, discriminatory criteria and automatic decisions based on irrelevant or decontextualized data must be avoided.
05
Handy controls
Privacy notice, consent where applicable, restricted access, encryption, logging, limited conservation and ARCO mechanisms are part of a responsible process. For specific cases, legal advice is appropriate.
Practical application
What to check and what to ask
Useful documents or evidence
- Sufficient identifiers to avoid homonyms.
- Complete and legible documents related to the purpose.
- Evidence of the source, date of consultation and status of the result.
- Clarifications and supports provided by the person investigated.
Control questions
- What decision should this review inform?
- What evidence confirms the data?
- What limits should be expressed?
Frequent errors
- Search without a defined purpose.
- Confusing a coincidence with a confirmed fact.
- Ignore date, source or status of the result.
Official sources consulted
Scope and limits
Educational content, not advice for a specific case. A match does not confirm identity and the absence of findings does not guarantee absence of risk. Coverage changes by source, jurisdiction and date; A material decision may require clarification and specialized advice.
Next step
Zarur Legal Insights Methodology
Zarur Legal Insights verifies sources, reduces homonyms, and documents facts, boundaries, and points to clarify.
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