The short version
- El Vocero reported the CDC will investigate mass surveillance systems and their possible effects on civil and constitutional rights following a Sept. 11 complaint by PIP legislators
- NotiCel reported the CDC accepted the complaint in its Oct. 23 meeting and has begun sending information requests that will complement its 2017 investigation
- NotiCel reported the inquiry covers ALPR cameras, drones, body cameras and systems required as a condition to enter public spaces
- Both outlets reported the 2017 probe examined what the PIP called "carpeteo cibernético" after police acknowledged monitoring people exercising free speech and association rights
Investigation Launched
The Comisión de Derechos Civiles (CDC) has decided to investigate systems of mass surveillance implemented in Puerto Rico. El Vocero reported that the agency accepted a complaint filed by the legislative delegation of the Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP). The complaint was presented on Sept. 11 by Rep. Denis Márquez Lebrón and Sen. María de Lourdes Santiago, who asked that the matter be handled with urgency.
According to NotiCel, the CDC's full board took the decision during its regular meeting on Friday, Oct. 23. The agency informed Márquez Lebrón by letter that it has begun sending information requests. The investigation will also include systems that government agencies require as a condition to enter public spaces.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Hemos comenzado a remitir varios requerimientos de información. Esta investigación complementará la investigación realizada por esta Comisión, que fue publicada en el año 2017.
Our translation: We have begun to send several information requests. This investigation will complement the investigation carried out by this Commission, which was published in 2017.
The source's own statement, as quoted by NotiCel. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Link to Previous Probe
Both outlets reported that the new inquiry will complement a 2017 CDC investigation that followed an earlier PIP complaint. At that time, the party denounced what it described as "carpeteo cibernético" after the Puerto Rico Police acknowledged monitoring individuals exercising rights to free expression and association. El Vocero reported that the current probe will revisit those issues in the context of present-day surveillance technologies.
Márquez Lebrón stated that the CDC's acceptance of the complaint is an important step to obtain answers about the use of these systems on the island. He emphasized the need to protect citizens' privacy and intimacy, adding that new technologies should not justify undue interventions or the surveillance of people not linked to criminal activities. NotiCel reported that the legislator said guaranteeing the right to privacy must be a priority.
Where the sources differ
El Vocero and NotiCel largely agree on the facts: the CDC accepted a Sept. 11 PIP complaint filed by Denis Márquez Lebrón and María de Lourdes Santiago, the investigation will complement the 2017 probe, and it concerns surveillance systems and their impact on civil and constitutional rights. NotiCel adds that the decision was made on Oct. 23, that information requests have already begun, that the probe includes systems required to enter public spaces, and it names companies with major presence in Puerto Rico surveillance (Flock Safety via Resilient International, Axon Enterprise and Genetec) and gives contract values, details absent from El Vocero.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state when the CDC expects to complete the investigation, whether it will hold public hearings, what specific information has been requested from agencies or municipalities, or whether any government entity has responded to the information requests. They also do not indicate if the probe will result in recommendations or binding measures.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Comisión de Derechos Civiles investigará los sistemas de vigilancia con cámara
- Reporting Comisión de Derechos Civiles investigará sistemas de vigilancia masiva tras querella del PIP
- Reporting Comisión de Derechos Civiles investigará los sistemas de vigilancia con cámara
How we checked this
El Vocero and NotiCel both reported the CDC's acceptance of the PIP complaint and its connection to the 2017 investigation. Details on the Oct. 23 meeting, the start of information requests, public-space entry systems and company contract data rest solely on NotiCel.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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