Why Andean Community countries approve user protection standard in telecommunications

In the context of the CAN last July, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru approved Decision 897 (see pdf). This establishes a guideline update on the protection of users’ rights in telecommunications and covers issues such as personal data, security, transparency, rights and duties of consumers, as well as the obligations of operators or service providers. It covers also issues such as confidentiality, privacy, integrity and inviolability of communications, access to open internet, net neutrality and international roaming services.

CAN Secretary-General Jorge Hernando Pedraza said that this decision was the result of the fundamental support that CAF—development bank of Latin America—provided to the organization through technical assistance led by the Digital Transformation Directorate of the Infrastructure and Digital Transformation Department. The study served as input for the analysis and research conducted by the Andean Committee of Telecommunications Authorities (CAATEL).

DTD Senior Executive Mauricio Agudelo added: “Legislation and normative/regulatory frameworks dealing with the protection of telecommunications users must be constantly evaluated, updated and evolving due to the effects of technology changes in networks, and innovations in telecommunications services. CAF supports the countries of the region in ensuring the effective protection of telecommunications users in the digital era and in a context of technological and market convergence.”