- The Mexican government has partially lifted a long-standing block on accessing federal websites via the Tor network, a tool used for secure browsing and anonymity.
- While access to the primary portal 'gob.mx' has been restored, some subdomains and specific platforms, such as the open data site and the new whistleblower portal, remain inaccessible to Tor users.
- Mexico has an estimated 20,000 active Tor users who rely on the network to bypass surveillance and censorship.
Historical Context of the Block
- For over a decade across multiple administrations, at least 21 government agencies blocked traffic originating from the Tor network.
- The administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018–2024) publicly acknowledged the blockage, citing security risks and the inability to distinguish between legitimate users and automated malicious traffic.
- Despite these security claims, the Tor Project argues that blocking entire network sections is an outdated practice that ignores modern methods of mitigating threats like DoS attacks without isolating users.
Regulatory Contradictions
- Previously, the government established a regulatory framework to protect whistleblower anonymity, even creating a dedicated Tor-based mailbox under the Ministry of the Civil Service.
- The current whistleblower platform, SIDEC, has replaced the older system but does not support Tor connectivity, effectively reversing previous efforts to guarantee anonymous reporting.
Current Policy Shift
- On May 6, 2025, the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo stated it has no policy or documented justification for blocking Tor access to 'gob.mx'.
- Monitoring confirmed that the block was lifted on July 5, 2025, allowing general access to government services.
- Despite this, 'datos.gob.mx' continues to restrict Tor traffic, maintaining a inconsistent landscape for digital access and transparency.