EFF, TEDIC, and CEJIL File Complaint Over Paraguay’s Secretive Use of Facial Recognition

A coalition of digital rights and legal organizations—EFF, the Association of Technology, Education, Development, Research, Communication (TEDIC), and the Centre for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)—has formally lodged a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights regarding Paraguay’s covert use of facial recognition technology. This marks a significant legal move targeting state surveillance practices in Latin America.

The complaint underlines the lack of transparency and absence of public oversight in Paraguay’s deployment of biometric identification systems. The organizations argue that such secrecy undermines fundamental rights to privacy and due process, highlighting the risk of mass surveillance without adequate legal safeguards.

By bringing the issue to the Inter-American Commission, the coalition seeks to hold Paraguayan authorities accountable under international human rights frameworks. The complaint demands disclosure of how facial recognition data is collected, stored, and used, as well as the establishment of clear limits and oversight to prevent abuses.

This case exemplifies a broader global challenge: governments adopting facial recognition technologies without transparent policies or public debate. The outcome could set a precedent for addressing biometric surveillance in the Americas, influencing regulatory approaches and reinforcing the principle that technological deployment must respect human rights.

Stakeholders should closely monitor the Commission’s response and Paraguay’s subsequent actions, as these will shape the balance between security interests and privacy protections in the region. The complaint also signals increasing legal scrutiny of facial recognition as a tool prone to rights violations when implemented without accountability.