Paraguay debates digital platform law

Update August 25, 2026: the debate over Paraguay's digital platform law drew new objections from the Labor Ministry and the MIC, which had already reviewed adjustments to an earlier version of the bill. Critics also pointed to the lack of reliable statistics on cyberbullying and digital crimes affecting minors, along with incomplete data on the driver pool.

Drivers working for digital platforms asked Paraguay's Congress to speed up consideration of a bill that seeks to create a uniform legal framework for services delivered through digital platforms across the country. The proposal could open the door to new compliance obligations for technology companies operating in Paraguay.

What is the bill trying to do?

According to the text introduced in Congress, the stated goal is to bring the delivery of services through digital platforms under a single framework nationwide. That scope does not sit apart from the rest of the regulatory structure: the future law could coexist with, and be aligned to, the cross-cutting data protection and cybersecurity obligations under Law No. 7593/2025.

What changed in the political and institutional debate?

The bill has already been reviewed by different state and labor stakeholders, and the tone of the debate has hardened. ABC Color reported that platform drivers asked for changes to the text because, in their view, it favored companies, and that the government ministry recommended rejecting it unless substantial changes are made. The Labor Ministry and the MIC had also examined adjustments to an earlier version of the bill in October 2025.

What official data is missing on the sector?

The legislative debate is moving forward in a market where the statistical picture is far from complete. An El País article said Paraguay reports at least 25,000 drivers in passenger transport alone, but has no official data for delivery work or other categories. At the same time, an expert cited by ABC Color questioned the lack of reliable statistics on cyberbullying and digital crimes affecting minors.

Where do data protection and cybersecurity overlap?

The reference to Law No. 7593/2025 matters because Paraguay's new personal data protection framework already sets rules that companies must factor in when handling user and driver information. In that setting, a sector-specific law for digital platforms could add stronger compliance requirements, with direct effects on internal processes, data handling, and security controls.

The interaction between the two laws suggests that technology companies would need to look beyond the labor or commercial framework for their business and also consider data protection and cybersecurity compliance. If the bill moves forward, it would not replace that broader framework, but add to it and could make platform operations in Paraguay more demanding.