No, using fake names on social media in Peru is not universally legal. Peruvian law, particularly under the Ley N° 30947 (2019) and Decreto Legislativo N° 1353 (2018), requires digital platforms to verify user identities, while the Código Civil (Art. 19) and Ley de Protección de Datos Personales (Ley N° 29733) impose liability for impersonation or fraud. The Organismo de Evaluación y Fiscalización Ambiental (OEFA) and Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual (INDECOPI) actively monitor deceptive practices, with 2026 amendments tightening enforcement against anonymous accounts used for disinformation or commercial fraud.
Key Regulations for Using Fake Names on Social Media in Peru
- Identity Verification Mandates: Social media platforms operating in Peru must comply with Decreto Legislativo N° 1353, which obliges them to implement identity verification mechanisms (e.g., government-issued ID linking) under OEFA oversight. Failure to enforce this risks fines up to 100 UIT (~$130,000 USD).
- Civil and Criminal Liability for Impersonation: Under Código Civil (Art. 19) and Código Penal (Art. 401), using a fake name to defraud, damage reputation, or commit crimes (e.g., phishing) exposes users to civil damages and imprisonment (up to 6 years for aggravated fraud).
- Data Protection Enforcement: The Ley N° 29733 prohibits the use of false identities to process or disseminate personal data without consent. INDECOPI can order content removal and impose sanctions (up to 500 UIT) for violations, particularly under the 2026 Ley de Transparencia Digital.