By Roz Brown
Posted May 8, 2025
Anyone who uses a cell phone or laptop shares hundreds of personal data points, and a New Mexico advocacy group wants that information better protected.
Nathan Saavedra, programs manager for Equality New Mexico, said personal information such as gender, marital status, household income and educational level are catalogued by tech organizations and data brokers.
“We see data privacy as the primary gap that exists, especially in New Mexico, for protecting all people,” he said. “And this is especially true for LGBTQ folks, women or anyone who is seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care, immigrants, political dissidents.”
Two privacy bills introduced in New Mexico’s legislative session this year – the Community Safety and Privacy Act and the Patient Records Privacy Act – failed to pass. Saavedra said he believes when it comes to sharing data, consumers should always have the ability to “opt-in” rather than “opt-out,” which assumes consent for data gathering unless users actively decline.
Saavedra admitted that the term “data privacy” can be confusing, but he said the current political climate makes it important to understand because hostile agencies can use information to discriminate, harass and persecute people. He noted that at President Donald Trump’s inauguration last year, the most exclusive seats were reserved for powerful tech CEOs, who also are among the world’s richest men.
Saavedra said he sees it as a sign the Trump administration won’t prioritize confidentiality.
“So, we see data privacy and the information that is viewable by these data brokers or any organization or even an individual who wishes to purchase or find this data is a main priority for protecting vulnerable New Mexicans,” he said.
He added that Equality New Mexico will continue to push lawmakers to pass new data privacy laws.
A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found 71% of Americans were worried about government use of people’s data. Additionally, 67% said they understand little to nothing about what companies are doing with their personal data.
Roz Brown is a producer for Public News Service.
