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Peru’s Justice Board Opens Probe Into Reniec Chief Over Mass Voter Data Exposure

The case tests how a new law expanding the electoral roll collides with Peru’s data-protection rules.

Overview

  • The National Board of Justice opened a preliminary case against Reniec head Carmen Velarde, giving her 10 business days to respond and warning of possible removal or referral to prosecutors if serious breaches are found.
  • Peru’s data protection authority and the Comptroller launched parallel reviews of the online publication that exposed addresses and other details of more than 27 million voters.
  • Reniec tightened access to the preliminary roll by requiring the DNI issue date and applying IP-based limits after initial queries needed only an ID number and check digit.
  • Reniec cites electoral law for publishing the roll, but experts and the data authority point to legal provisions and a 2021 opinion that advise against disclosing domiciles or fingerprint images.
  • Journalistic reports say some actors may have downloaded the exposed information, a claim Reniec disputes as oversight bodies continue their inquiries.