Yes, web scraping in Costa Rica operates within a legal gray area, primarily governed by copyright law, data protection regulations, and the Ley de Protección de la Persona ante el Tratamiento de sus Datos Personales (Law 8968). While no explicit statute bans scraping, compliance hinges on purpose, data sensitivity, and adherence to Ley 6683 (Copyright Law) and Ley 9069 (Consumer Protection Law). The Autoridad de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (PRODHAB) enforces data privacy, and the Dirección General de Inteligencia de Mercado monitors unfair competition risks. Recent 2026 amendments to Law 8968 tighten restrictions on automated data collection, emphasizing prior consent for personal data processing.
Key Regulations for Web Scraping in Costa Rica
- Copyright Law (Ley 6683): Scraping copyrighted content without permission violates Article 10, which prohibits unauthorized reproduction or distribution. Exceptions exist for “fair use” (e.g., research), but courts apply strict scrutiny.
- Data Protection Law (Ley 8968): Automated scraping of personal data triggers prior consent requirements under Article 15. PRODHAB’s 2026 guidelines mandate opt-in mechanisms for public-facing datasets.
- Consumer Protection Law (Ley 9069): Unfair data harvesting for commercial purposes may constitute deceptive practices under Article 32, particularly if it misleads users or breaches terms of service.