It was approved by President Hugo Chávez after the National Assembly granted him the special legislative powers of the enabling law.

The legislation was criticized by human rights organizations, which warned that it violated the constitution and could create a spy society, as well as by the Venezuelan student movement.

[2] The legislation led to protests against it, demanding its repeal, including on June 9 and 10 in Caracas, when multiple posters and effigies of toads with red berets were hung on the streets.

[2][4] Alfredo Romero, member of Foro Penal, stated that it was the first time in the history of Venezuela that an intelligence law existed and described the repeal as "a triumph of the citizenry".

[1] Despite the repeal of the Snitch Law, its main directives were gradually applied until culminating in the Articulation and Socio-Political Action Network, a social structure of espionage.