As fears grow over government tracking, advocates seek New Mexico data privacy protections

"They're always watching you. And they're logging your every move."

It's not a slogan for a new horror film — it's a warning posed by a coalition of advocacy groups leading a campaign for heightened data protections in New Mexico.

The campaign began as a handful of bills during January's legislative session, against a backdrop of fear about other states or the federal government accessing New Mexicans' sensitive information. Though none of the bills passed, proponents of the New Mexico Community and Health Information Safety and Privacy Act, also known as NM CHISPA, say the movement is far from over — and is increasingly important.

The basic essence of NM CHISPA is a request that for-profit companies that provide services and products to New Mexicans only collect the data needed to prov