Key facts
- Mexico will require digital platforms to protect minors from violent and sexual content.
- Platforms must incorporate safety-by-design protections and cooperate with investigative authorities.
- The decree follows a violent incident at a school in Torreon, Coahuila.
- Content restrictions cover hate speech, violent extremism, sexual abuse, suicide, and cyberbullying.
- Privacy and security settings will be activated by default for minors.
- Platforms must maintain a 24/7 point of contact for investigators.
Mexico is set to implement new regulations requiring digital platforms to protect minors from harmful content, including violent and sexual material. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she would sign a presidential decree mandating these changes, which will increase scrutiny on major technology companies operating in the country.
The decree mandates that platforms restrict minors' access to content deemed harmful, such as hate speech, violent extremism, sexual abuse, suicide, and cyberbullying. It also requires platforms to embed protective measures into their service design by default, ensuring that privacy and security settings offer the most protective configuration from the outset. Furthermore, digital services will need to cooperate with investigative authorities, maintaining a 24/7 point of contact for information requests.