Quick Summary
- 1The Court of Accounts of Paraná (TCE) released the privatization process for Celepar on January 23, 2026.
- 2The process had been suspended since September 2025 to allow for detailed studies on financial and data protection impacts.
- 3The state government argued that data sovereignty remains with the government, with Celepar acting only as an operator.
- 4The privatization was approved by the state legislature in November 2024 under an urgency regime, a move criticized by the opposition.
Quick Summary
The privatization process for the Companhia de Tecnologia da Informação e Comunicação do Paraná (Celepar) has been officially released by the Tribunal de Contas do Paraná (TCE). This decision, made on January 23, 2026, removes the final administrative hurdle preventing the sale of the state-owned technology firm.
With the release, the process moves to its next phase: the publication of the public tender notice. However, no specific date has been set for when this notice will be published. The release follows months of suspension and intense debate regarding the security of sensitive data belonging to the citizens of Paraná.
The Suspension Lifted
The process had been paralyzed since September 2025. A preliminary injunction issued by substitute counselor Livio Sotero Costa halted proceedings to demand detailed studies. These studies were required to analyze the financial impacts and data protection implications of the sale.
The release was authorized by counselor Durval Amaral after the Government of Paraná submitted the requested documentation. Following a review of the new evidence, the TCE determined that the allegations justifying the initial precautionary measure no longer held merit. Consequently, the suspended studies and the process timeline are now set to resume.
The government's documentation argued that the privatization poses no risk to the ownership of personal data. The state maintains that Celepar will function strictly as an operator, while the Government of the State remains the data controller.
"We are talking about a strategic company that manages health, security, education, and public servant information. We are against the sale of Celepar because it threatens digital sovereignty and the population's right to privacy."— Arilson Chiorato, PT Leader in the Alep
A Strategic Asset
Celepar is a historic entity in the state's infrastructure, founded in 1964. It currently employs approximately 980 people. The company's servers hold a vast repository of sensitive information regarding the population of Paraná.
The data managed by Celepar includes:
- Educational records
- Medical histories
- Traffic infractions
- Tax payment information
Because of the nature of this data, the privatization has drawn significant scrutiny from opposition lawmakers who view the company as a strategic asset.
Legislative Controversy
The privatization proposal originated from the Governo do Paraná and was approved by the deputies of the Assembleia Legislativa do Paraná (Alep) in November 2024. The legislative process was conducted under an urgency regime, with the project's conclusion taking place over just nine calendar days.
Opposition deputies criticized the accelerated timeline, arguing that it left insufficient time for proper debate. They also requested a pedido de vista (a request for more time to analyze the project) at the time.
"We are talking about a strategic company that manages health, security, education, and public servant information. We are against the sale of Celepar because it threatens digital sovereignty and the population's right to privacy."
This statement was made by Arilson Chiorato (PT), the opposition leader in the Alep, during the initial debates.
The Issue of Secrecy
Currently, the sale process is under seal. This secrecy has been a focal point of criticism from the opposition group, which has filed a request to break the secrecy of the proceedings.
The opposition parliamentarians argue for a balanced approach to transparency. They contend that documents posing a real risk to the security of the population and strategic systems should remain confidential. However, they insist that the process as a whole should be public. The request to the TCE specifically asked that the sale process be made transparent to the public.
Looking Ahead
With the administrative block removed, the focus now shifts to the public tender notice. This document will outline the specific terms, conditions, and requirements for potential buyers interested in acquiring Celepar.
While the release is a significant step forward, the timeline for the tender remains uncertain. The lack of a predicted date for the notice's publication leaves the immediate future of the privatization open-ended, pending the official launch of the bidding phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Court of Accounts of Paraná (TCE) has released the privatization process, allowing it to move forward. The next step is the publication of the public tender notice, though no date has been set for this occurrence.
The process was suspended in September 2025 via a preliminary injunction. The suspension was intended to allow the government to conduct detailed studies regarding the financial impacts and data protection implications of the sale.
Opposition deputies in the Alep, led by Arilson Chiorato, oppose the sale. They criticize the urgency regime used to pass the legislation and the secrecy surrounding the process, arguing it threatens digital sovereignty and the privacy of citizens.
The government argues that data ownership remains with the state. Celepar is designated to act only as an operator, while the Government of Paraná retains the role of data controller, ensuring sovereignty over personal information.
