Political Text Message Blitz Across Quintana Roo Raises Privacy Concerns

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Cellphone users in Quintana Roo say their personal numbers have been flooded with unsolicited text messages promoting candidates in the 2027 gubernatorial race, raising privacy concerns.

Since July 4, at least ten mass text blasts have gone out to thousands of residents, according to a report by Agencia SIM. Roughly 90 percent of the messages highlighted state Sen. Gino Segura, who is on leave from office to seek the Morena party’s nomination for governor. The remaining messages promoted Rafael Marín Mollinedo, including a single text from a number with an Acapulco, Guerrero, area code that read: “Quintana Roo deserves information, not rumors, listen to Rafa Marín.”

The messages came from unregistered numbers and appeared directly in users’ inboxes, similar to Telcel’s Uno Noticias push service, leaving recipients no way to block or opt out, the report said.

Among the messages cited in the report:

• A July 4 text from a Playa del Carmen area code (984) said a Polls.Mx survey placed Segura at 31.3 percent in Morena’s internal polling.
• Two more texts on July 10 from the same area code claimed Segura was leading the race for the party’s gubernatorial nomination.
• A July 11 message from a Chetumal number (983 area code) cited Monitor Caribe showing Segura with 37.8 percent support.
• On July 13, a Cancún number relayed a “Massive Caller” poll putting Segura at 31.7 percent.
• A July 16 message from another Cancún number cited a Metametrics poll with Segura at 31.1 percent.
• On July 17, a Chetumal number said Segura had 36.8 percent and was taking a wide lead.
• Another message from a Chetumal number cited gobernarte giving Segura a 17-point advantage, with 35.7 percent support.
• On July 24, a Monitor Caribe message cited a Tresearch poll showing Segura at 29.4 percent.

The report noted that the pages publishing the poll results each had fewer than 400 Facebook followers. The messages were also set to expire after 48 hours; once expired, users saw a prompt directing them to download Meta’s app.