A new bill in Baja California seeks to increase prison sentences for individuals who install clandestine video surveillance cameras in public spaces.
During Wednesday’s morning press conference, Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda presented the signed proposal, explaining that the initiative aims to reform Article 317 of the state Penal Code. The amendment would allow authorities to punish anyone who obtains security information for a third party with the intent of committing or planning a crime.
The legislation specifically targets the installation of secret cameras in public areas and the tampering or manipulation of official surveillance systems.
Juan José Pon, director of the State Legal Counsel, said the proposed penalties would increase from three to eight years in prison. Offenders could also face fines ranging from 200 to 400 times the daily value of the UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización), which is currently 113.14 pesos, meaning fines would range from approximately 22,628 to 45,256 pesos.
Pon clarified that the law would not affect citizens who install surveillance cameras on their private property, regardless of what the devices capture. The measure is focused exclusively on public surveillance systems used for criminal purposes, and also includes sanctions for public officials who interfere with official security channels.
