Are phone number lists in El Salvador used by law enforcement?

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Yes, phone number lists and telecommunications data are used by law enforcement in El Salvador, but access is typically governed by legal frameworks that require due process, particularly in light of recent data protection laws. Law enforcement's ability to access such data is generally tied to criminal investigations, judicial orders, and specific legal procedures.

Legal Framework and Data Protection
El Salvador has recently strengthened its legal framework concerning personal data protection. The "Personal Data Protection Law" (Legislative Decree No. 144), which came into effect on November 23, 2024, is a significant development. This law establishes essential requirements for the legitimate and informed treatment of personal data, guaranteeing the right to el-salvador phone number list privacy and informational self-determination. It applies to both public and private entities that manage personal data. This means that while law enforcement (Policía Nacional Civil - PNC) can access phone number data, they must do so within the confines of this law and other relevant criminal procedural codes. The law emphasizes principles like legality, transparency, and consent, and introduces the "State Cybersecurity Agency" (ACE) as the supervisory authority for its enforcement.

How Law Enforcement Accesses Phone Data
Law enforcement in El Salvador, primarily the Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), accesses phone number data through established legal procedures. This generally involves:

Judicial Orders: For intercepting communications (wiretaps) or accessing detailed call records (metadata, such as call logs, duration, and associated numbers), a judicial order from a judge is typically required. This is a common legal safeguard in many countries to protect citizens' privacy. The severity of the crime being investigated often dictates whether such an order will be granted.
Requests to Telecommunication Providers: Police can make formal requests to telecommunication companies (like Claro, Tigo, Movistar) for specific subscriber information or call data related to an ongoing investigation. These providers are legally obligated to cooperate with legitimate law enforcement requests that are backed by proper legal authority.
Emergency Situations: In urgent situations where there is an immediate threat to life or national security, there might be provisions for expedited or initial access to certain data, which would then be subject to retrospective judicial review. However, these are usually exceptional circumstances.
Fraud Reporting: When citizens report phone fraud to the Defensoría del Consumidor or directly to the PNC, the information provided, including the fraudulent phone numbers, becomes part of an official complaint or investigation. This data can then be used by law enforcement to track down perpetrators.