Data Hiding Controversy Implies Involvement of "6 Specifics"

The Transparency Entity, responsible for controlling the assets and income of public officials, has archived all the property deeds of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's urban and rural properties. This was confirmed in response to a request from the opposition, made by the Socialist Party (PS) in Portugal.

Contrary to previous reports, it was clarified that the number of properties involved is six, not 55 as previously stated by the national press. The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, has declared six urban properties (including a house in Espinho and an apartment in Lisbon) and 46 rural properties to the Transparency Entity.

Montenegro has gained access to information on these properties, which includes over 50 properties declared, some of which were inherited from his family. However, the Prime Minister has requested the Transparency Entity to block public access to the matrix number of these six urban properties to protect sensitive personal data related to his and his family's residence addresses.

The matrix number allows the identification and location of a property, providing access to the deed and verifying if a property was bought outside the law or with some price benefit. Allegations that the protection of the Prime Minister's personal data implies bad faith and perversion of the facts are incorrect.

The opposition to the disclosure of the matrix number has been justified as necessary to prevent an increased risk to the security of the Prime Minister and his family. The public disclosure of the addresses of these residences could require impractical and costly public security measures.

It is important to note that politicians and high-ranking public officials can oppose the disclosure of the matrix number according to the law. The protection of the Prime Minister's personal data does not hinder the scrutiny and access to documents demonstrating the conditions of acquisition, such as public deeds.

In response to the controversy, Luís Montenegro has stated that there is no fear regarding the disclosure of his property data. He also denied opposing the disclosure of the matrix number of his properties, a claim that was previously reported as false.

The news about Montenegro's property declarations was advanced by Correio da Manhã. The opposition's inquiry against the Transparency Office regarding the publication of the matrix number of several properties belonging to Luís Montenegro was based on the law and was granted by the Transparency Entity.

Luís Montenegro has denied opposing the disclosure of the matrix number of his properties. The opposition to the disclosure of the matrix number prevents public scrutiny of a politician's real estate wealth, a concern raised by the opposition. However, the Prime Minister's office has clarified that the protection of personal data is a matter of privacy and security, not an attempt to hide illegal activities.