Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)

Episode: Noticia SER | Igualdad no ha abierto expediente sancionador a las empresas por los fallos en las pulseras antimaltrato
Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Reporter: Mariola Lourido

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a critical update on the ongoing issues with anti-abuse tracking bracelets ("pulseras antimaltrato") intended for the protection of victims of gender-based violence in Spain. The main revelation: the Ministry of Equality has not initiated any sanctioning proceedings against Vodafone or Securitas, the companies responsible for significant technical failures in the Cometa monitoring system, despite the failures being public knowledge for several months and affecting the system for more than a year and a half. The episode examines official responses, accountability gaps, and what the lack of punitive action could mean for victim protection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lack of Sanctioning Action Despite Failures

• [00:00] The Ministry of Equality has not opened any sanctioning files or procedures regarding the failures in anti-abuse bracelets.
  • "El Ministerio de Igualdad no ha abierto ningún expediente de sanción a la empresa responsable de los fallos en las pulseras antimaltrato." — Cadena SER News (00:01)
• The failures involved data migration from one provider to another, affecting reliable victim monitoring over several months.

2. No Official Follow-Up Documentation

• [00:26] Official monthly follow-up reports ("actas de seguimiento") are nonexistent.
  • Instead, only internal notes have been produced, with no formal, auditable documentation.
  • "El ministerio reconoce además que tampoco hay actas mensuales de seguimiento. Dice que tiene notas internas, pero no informes oficiales sobre los fallos." — Mariola Lourido (00:48)

3. Government Response & Potential Future Action

• The delegate against Gender Violence, Carmen Martínez Perza, confirms there have been no penalties imposed on Vodafone or Securitas for contract breaches related to the anti-abuse bracelet system.
  • "La delegada contra la Violencia de Género, Carmen Martínez Perza, asegura que no han aplicado penalizaciones a Vodafone y Securitas por incumplimiento del contrato..." — Mariola Lourido (00:33)
• The Ministry of Equality notes that while there is an ongoing internal investigation, measures such as sanctions may still be applied before the contract ends in May.
  • "Igualdad añade a la Cadena SER que tiene en marcha una investigación y que hasta que termine el contrato en mayo, podría poner sanciones." — Mariola Lourido (00:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cadena SER News [00:01]:
  "El Ministerio de Igualdad no ha abierto ningún expediente de sanción a la empresa responsable de los fallos en las pulseras antimaltrato..."
• Mariola Lourido [00:33]:
  "No se ha incoado expediente sancionador ni procedimiento de resolución, ni tampoco se ha procedido hasta la fecha a la ejecución de garantías..."
• Mariola Lourido [00:48]:
  "El ministerio reconoce además que tampoco hay actas mensuales de seguimiento. Dice que tiene notas internas, pero no informes oficiales sobre los fallos."

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00 – 00:26] Breaking the news: No sanctioning proceedings opened.
• [00:26 – 00:48] Analysis by Mariola Lourido: Details on lack of documentation and official response.
• [00:48 – 00:58] Ministry stance: Admits only internal notes, signals possible future sanctions before May contract expiry.

Tone & Style

The episode retains a factual, pressing tone characteristic of investigative journalism, focusing on accountability and transparency regarding gender violence protection policies.

Conclusion

The episode shines a critical spotlight on administrative inaction and transparency concerns in the Spanish government's handling of a vital protection system for victims of gender-based violence. Listeners are left with important questions about state responsiveness and the real-world implications for those relying on these technologies for their safety.