Peru weighs cyber law, AI rules and speech bill

In Peru, the legislative agenda is moving on three fronts: the lack of a General Cybersecurity Law, the rollout of the first rules on artificial intelligence, and a Renovación Popular bill that seeks to criminalize so-called aggravated praise of crime when it is spread through media outlets or digital platforms.

What is still missing in cybersecurity?

The country still does not have a General Cybersecurity Law, according to an analysis published by El Peruano, and such a law would provide legal and institutional support for the National Cybersecurity Strategy, define responsibilities, and establish which operators are essential or part of critical infrastructure.

The Jurídica supplement of El Peruano said on August 19, 2026, that a law of this kind would help consolidate a national cybersecurity system and strengthen resilience against cyberattacks, using Chile’s model as a reference. That analysis did not mention any specific bill currently moving forward.

What is being discussed on artificial intelligence?

Alongside the cybersecurity gap, Peru’s regulatory environment is now in the implementation phase of Law 31814 on artificial intelligence, with a deadline set for September 10 for companies in six sectors, according to Hazlodigital.pe.

Although that process is part of the state’s digital agenda, the reviewed materials do not identify any cybersecurity or data protection bill that is advancing in parallel in Congress these days.

What does the bill on praise of crime propose?

Bill No. 00043/2026-2031-CD, introduced by Congressman Aldo Antonio Bravo Quispe of Renovación Popular, proposes adding the crime of "aggravated praise of crime" to the Penal Code, with prison terms of four to six years, and it increases the penalty when the conduct is carried out through media outlets or digital platforms.

Infobae and the National Association of Journalists of Peru reported that the ANP warns the proposal could affect free speech and journalism. Pressenza reported on August 19, 2026, that the association believes the text seriously affects freedom of expression, the right to information, and the practice of journalism.

La República added on August 21, 2026, that the bill also explicitly targets journalists, communicators, opinion leaders, and people with the ability to mobilize public opinion as subjects covered by the legislative debate.

How does this fit into the government agenda?

Meanwhile, Infobae reported on August 21, 2026, comments from the interior minister before Congress, saying the government is strengthening cybersecurity, data governance, and the traceability of police systems as part of its response to crime, although no specific bills in progress were detailed.

That contrast adds to what El Comercio reported on August 18, 2026, which said that, 20 days after President Keiko Fujimori announced a plan to request legislative powers on citizen security and the fight against crime, the request had still not been formally submitted to Congress and no official document had been presented by the executive branch.