With an estimated population of just over 6.8 million in 2017, Paraguay has an internet penetration rate of only 51.4%. Moreover, only 30% of the population has a computer at home. This may be one of the reasons why 94% of Paraguayans access the internet through their mobile networks. Further contributing to these feeble numbers is the fact that internet connection speeds are still very slow in the country, making it even more difficult to use.
On a more positive note, the number of internet users has been increasing in recent years and Paraguay already benefits from having internationally-known services, such as Netflix, Spotify, and Apple Music. Additionally, the country has its own streaming services and nationally-produced content that can be of interest to people outside the country.
While the internet population is still small, Paraguay already has some streaming services of its own. Tigo Play is the most recent offer in that area. With a diversified range of content, such as movies, documentaries, sport events, and series, the service is available on computers, smartphones, and tablets for those who have an active Tigo subscription. Additionally, some of the most prominent TV channels in Paraguay, like SNT Canal 9, Telefuturo, RPC Canal 13, Red Guaraní, ABC TV, Paraguay Online, and ABC Color, are also viewable online. On top of the national streaming services and online channels, platforms like Netflix also have Paraguay-produced content.
Unfortunately, these services can only be used by those who are in Paraguayan territory. Folks living abroad or on vacation won’t have access to their favorite content. However, regional restrictions are easily circumvented nowadays through the help of a VPN. With a Paraguayan VPN connection, users will able to unblock access to streaming services and other websites that aren’t available to the rest of the world.
Though there are no specific laws when it comes to online privacy in Paraguay, some of the principles that can be applied to that area are already covered in the country’s Constitution. The right to data protection gives individuals access to information and data about themselves, the right to know how that data is being processed, and also the right to request the rectification or the destruction of such information, if it may cause damage to the subject.
Internet privacy, however, is something that Paraguayans still haven’t achieved as internet service providers keep complete logs of their customers’ activity. And despite them mentioning that their users’ information would only be handed over to third parties in response to legitimate court orders, people should take that claim with a grain of salt.
Further controversy regarding internet privacy erupted in 2017 when the Congress in Paraguay passed a bill requiring everyone using a mobile phone to provide a fingerprint to activate their cell phone lines. Supposedly, the purpose of said bill was to avoid the use of fake personal data when subscribing to a cell phone plan. Several protesters claimed that since clients already have to provide a copy of their national ID card and additional personal data, requiring a fingerprint would be a violation of their privacy rights. Fortunately, the protests caused great impact and led the President of Paraguay to veto the legislation.
There aren’t many reports of internet blocking or censoring happening. In general, Paraguayans are free to express themselves and voice their opinions, whether online or offline. Facebook is the most used social network in Paraguay, with over 97% market share. So far, there hasn’t been any kind of censorship to individuals on social media, as the right to freedom of expression is clearly outlined in the country’s constitution.
Given the low internet penetration in the country, most of the population has little to no knowledge of how their ISPs might block content and therefore, not much information is available concerning this matter. However, situations where obvious censorship occurred have happened before. Back in 2012, two internet service providers blocked the website AbcColor.me without a judicial warrant, which is mandatory in Paraguay. AbcColor.me was a fake news parody of the news website ABC Color.
In addition, the media has been the target of several threats. Journalists are often threatened by criminal groups or corrupt authorities if they dare to publish any content that may cause a commotion around those organizations. While this kind of violence usually takes place after a news piece is published and can occur in various forms, it may lead to practices of self-censorship, due to concerns for the journalist’s own safety.
News media may also face oppression from government entities. Following the 2012 impeachment of Fernando Lugo, then President of Paraguay, the new government launched a campaign to silence radio stations, accusing them of inciting crimes against the regime. The tension between the government and community radios was due to the then-new clauses in the law that would place a ban on advertising and restrict the transmission range on stations broadcasting without a license.
Despite the still-small internet penetration, Paraguay already benefits from major streaming services. Netflix alongside Spotify and Apple Music have already launched their services in the country. Netflix in particular has been in the country for almost a decade, and therefore it already has a vast catalog when it comes to films that are exclusive to Paraguayans. 7 Boxes, 18 & 1/2 Cigarrettes, or The Last Land are some examples of films that are only available on Netflix Paraguay. Additionally, national streaming services like Tigo Play enhance the interest in getting access to Paraguayan content. The population can also subscribe to IPTV packages, offering on average, more than 300 channels.
However, having slow connection speeds can be an issue for those who are trying to enjoy Paraguay-exclusive content. Using a VPN may help solve this problem, but users connecting to a Paraguayan server shouldn’t expect great internet velocities, regardless of the VPN service they’re using.
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