Costa Rica's Ministry of Finance Addresses Concerns Over Data Access Requests
Responses emerge following allegations of unauthorized access to citizens' personal data.
On March 31, 2025, the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica responded to allegations made by Eli Feinzaig, leader of the Liberal Progressive Party, regarding the government's request for access to sensitive personal data of Costa Rican citizens.
The Ministry clarified the context of its request, addressing concerns raised by the lawmaker.
Feinzaig highlighted that the Directorate General of Taxation had made requests to all mobile phone and internet service providers for access to personal information of their clients.
This information includes full names, national identification numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, residential addresses, and contract types.
In response to these allegations, Mario Ramos, the General Director of Taxation, provided insight into the motivation behind the request for data.
He stated, "The Directorate General of Taxation has identified that some taxpayers, in their clear effort to evade their obligations to the treasury, have provided inaccurate information, which complicates verification efforts and makes it impossible to collect taxes effectively."
Ramos emphasized that the ministry has been seeking customer information from these service providers for many years.
He asserted that the intent is not to utilize this data indiscriminately, but rather in cases where a taxpayer has been identified as a potential violator of tax laws.
The Ministry categorically rejected claims suggesting that routine actions by the Ministry of Finance jeopardize the sensitive data of Costa Ricans and denied any allegations that such data would be used for electoral purposes.
Ramos clarified that the requested data, including phone numbers and workplace details, has been part of the tax domicile records in the Unique Tax Registry for decades, indicating that taxpayers willingly provide this information.
When asked whether any telecommunications companies had already submitted this data, the Ministry of Finance indicated that it would share the information once it is received.
The Ministry clarified the context of its request, addressing concerns raised by the lawmaker.
Feinzaig highlighted that the Directorate General of Taxation had made requests to all mobile phone and internet service providers for access to personal information of their clients.
This information includes full names, national identification numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, residential addresses, and contract types.
In response to these allegations, Mario Ramos, the General Director of Taxation, provided insight into the motivation behind the request for data.
He stated, "The Directorate General of Taxation has identified that some taxpayers, in their clear effort to evade their obligations to the treasury, have provided inaccurate information, which complicates verification efforts and makes it impossible to collect taxes effectively."
Ramos emphasized that the ministry has been seeking customer information from these service providers for many years.
He asserted that the intent is not to utilize this data indiscriminately, but rather in cases where a taxpayer has been identified as a potential violator of tax laws.
The Ministry categorically rejected claims suggesting that routine actions by the Ministry of Finance jeopardize the sensitive data of Costa Ricans and denied any allegations that such data would be used for electoral purposes.
Ramos clarified that the requested data, including phone numbers and workplace details, has been part of the tax domicile records in the Unique Tax Registry for decades, indicating that taxpayers willingly provide this information.
When asked whether any telecommunications companies had already submitted this data, the Ministry of Finance indicated that it would share the information once it is received.
