Uruguay sees 23% jump in public information requests, but unanswered cases double

Uruguay experienced a significant surge in requests for public information in 2025, with the total number of applications rising by 23% to 10,169. Cristina Zubillaga, executive director of the Agency for Electronic Government and Information Society (Agesic), presented these updated figures to lawmakers considering changes to the public information access law.

The law, established during Tabaré Vázquez's first presidential term, aims to enhance the transparency of public administration and guarantee the fundamental right to access information. While the law allows for information to be declared reserved for specific reasons, such as compromising public security, national defense, or financial stability, or endangering lives and dignity, the use of this measure saw a slight decrease. In the 12 months leading up to January 2026, "reserved" declarations fell by 3.6% to 1,866, down from 1,936 in the prior year.

The Montevideo Intendancy was the most sought-after entity, receiving 3,041 requests in 2025. Other prominent recipients included the Ministry of Public Health (534), OSE (516), and the Ministry of Environment (403). However, the system also faced challenges with "positive silence," a term referring to responses submitted past the deadline or no response at all. In 2025, such cases more than doubled to 1,220, a stark increase from 562 in 2024. This surge in unaddressed requests led to a 24.1% rise in formal complaints filed with the Unit for Access to Public Information, with 99 out of 139 complaints stemming from positive silence.

Antel, the state-owned telecommunications company, was noted for its high rate of denial. Out of 45 requests it received, 23 were denied, representing 51% of the total. The Directorate General of Rural Development within the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries also reported a high denial rate for the requests it received.

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a great growth