Do you know how to protect your information in the digital age? Online privacy: how to protect your personal data It is now an essential need for those who live connected.

Below you will find a brief overview: the digital context in Mexico, the main online risks, practical strategies to protect your data, and a final section of frequently asked questions.

This article offers an updated perspective, aimed at helping you maintain control of your personal information with a solid foundation.

The digital landscape in Mexico: why protecting yourself matters

With 110 million people using the internet in Mexico and a penetration rate of 83.3% at the beginning of 2025, online habits are no longer the exception, but the rule.

This growth in connectivity simultaneously increases the exposure of personal data.

In this context, recognizing that the Online privacy: how to protect your personal data It's not just a title, but a call to action; it's essential.

In March 2025, the new Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data came into effect, which expands the definition of "personal data", strengthens control obligations and establishes a new supervisory authority.

And here's a relevant statistic to emphasize the urgency:

According to a 2025 study by Cisco Systems, Inc., 86% of Mexican organizations considered that privacy laws had a positive impact.

Given this scenario, it is clear that digital privacy is no longer optional and has become an essential part of individual well-being.

Main risks when sailing: what you should know

When we talk about Online privacy: how to protect your personal dataIt's important to understand the most common risks that any user faces. Here are some of the most relevant:

Activity tracking and cookiesMany websites collect data about your clicks, searches, and movements, without you always seeing it clearly.

Excessive applications and permissionsMany apps request access to microphone, camera, location, or contacts without a proportionate reason.

Phishing, impersonation and identity theftUnauthorized access to your credentials can lead to financial or identity loss.

Database filteringWhen companies or institutions suffer security breaches, your information may be compromised.

Automated data processing and profilingThe new Mexican law introduced the right to object to automated processing that “evaluates, analyzes or predicts behavior.”

To illustrate: imagine you share your location with a transportation app that also accesses your contacts.

If that data is combined, it could generate individual behavioral profiles that you didn't even authorize.

It's like handing over the keys to your house without realizing the lock was already open.

In this sense, Online privacy: how to protect your personal data It involves anticipating that these risks exist and acting before they materialize.

Practical strategies to protect your personal data

Now that you recognize the dangers, let's move on to the key step: what you can do to safeguard your information.

These actions will allow you to exert real control:

Evaluate and limit permissions

Regularly review the apps installed on your mobile device or computer.

Remove those you no longer use and restrict unnecessary permissions (location, microphone or camera access).

Example 1: If you installed a free flashlight app that asks for access to your contacts and location, remove those permissions or consider uninstalling it.

Example 2: Before accepting a new productivity application, check if it requests "full access to the hard drive"; if it doesn't justify it, decline.

Keep software and systems up to date

Operating system and software updates fix vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.

Just like changing the lock after a robbery, upgrading is equivalent to reinforcing the security perimeter.

Use strong passwords and secure management

Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. Use password managers that generate strong, unique passwords.

Consider using two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available.

Understand and adjust privacy settings on social networks

With 93 million user identities on social networks in Mexico in 2025 (70.7 % of the population), you are interacting in high data traffic environments.

Change your settings so that only your most trusted contacts can see your personal information.

Limit what you share: date of birth, address, real-time location, etc.

Secure browsing and encryption

Prefer HTTPS connections, activate the "browse in private mode" option when using public networks, consider using a reliable VPN.

By encrypting your browsing channel, you reduce the visibility of your data to third parties.

Read the privacy policy before accepting

The new Mexican law requires companies to present clearer and more specific privacy notices.

Read those notices: What data is collected? Who is it shared with? What rights do you have?

You can exercise ARCO rights (Access, Rectification, Cancellation and Opposition) with respect to your data.

Back up your data and delete what you don't need.

Storing sensitive files and documents in secure locations and deleting them when they are no longer needed reduces the risk of them falling into the wrong hands.

Save to encrypted disks or in the cloud with end-to-end encryption.

Active awareness: your best ally

The protection of personal data is not only technological, it is also cultural.

Just as you protect your home with doors and alarms, protecting your data requires habits:

Do not open suspicious links, do not click on every ad, think twice before sharing information.

With these strategies you can internalize the concept of Online privacy: how to protect your personal datanot as just another phrase, but as part of your digital routine.

Why the new Mexican law makes a difference

The reform that came into effect on March 21, 2025, substantially transformed the regulatory framework:

The definition of personal data was expanded to also include legal entities and metadata.

It was established that consent must be free, informed and specific, even when a new use different from the one initially declared is intended.

The functions of the INAI were transferred to the Ministry of Public Administration, which is now in charge of oversight and sanctions, as confirmed by Littler Mendelson PC

The penalties for non-compliance can be more severe, which sends a clear message that protecting data is not optional, but an obligation.

Thanks to this regulatory evolution, users in Mexico are in a better position to demand rights and control their information.

That reinforces the real relevance of Online privacy: how to protect your personal data as a key phrase of this era.

Read more: Digital Safety: Protect Your Family from Online Scams

An analogy to help you understand it better

Imagine that your personal data is like a private diary that you keep locked away.

Every time you use an app without checking the permissions, it's like leaving your key under the doormat: the neighbors can find it, and even if they don't seem to, they could enter.

Protecting your online privacy, in this sense, means changing that key for a digital lock, checking who has access, and consciously deciding who you give it to.

That analogy helps you understand the importance of active control over your own data.

Conclusion

We live in an era in which much of our life —communication, work, leisure— takes place online.

In that context, the phrase Online privacy: how to protect your personal data It's not just a headline, but a guide to action.

Connecting to the internet is almost second nature; what cannot be second nature is neglecting the protection of your information.

There is a big difference between careless use and informed use.

Applying what you learned here—evaluating permissions, keeping updates up to date, using strong passwords, understanding your rights, and navigating consciously—puts you on the side of control.

And that difference protects you from the waste of personal data or from becoming a victim of a breach.

The 2025 Mexican legal reform marks a turning point. But the law alone is not enough: you need to take action.

Protect your data as you would protect a valuable asset: because it is.

Read more: Differences between 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 explained easily

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “personal data” mean under Mexican law?

According to the new regulations, personal data includes any information that can directly or indirectly identify a natural or legal person, as well as related metadata.

Can I request that my data be deleted from a company?

Yes. The law includes rights of access, rectification, cancellation and opposition (ARCO).

If you no longer wish for your data to be processed, you can exercise those rights with the data controller.

Should I use a VPN to stay safe?

Using a VPN is not mandatory, but it is recommended when connecting from public networks or when you want greater privacy.

A VPN encrypts your connection, adding an extra layer of protection.

How many people use the internet in Mexico?

In January 2025, Mexico had approximately 110 million internet users, representing 83.3% of the total population.

What do I do if an app asks for permissions I don't understand?

Stop and think. If a calendar app requests access to your microphone or camera without any apparent explanation, question that permission.

Decline it or look for a more transparent alternative.