Indian publishers contest Modi government’s privacy law
A group of 21 Indian news publishers has challenged the Digital Personal Data Protection Act in the Supreme Court. They argue the law lacks necessary exemptions for journalists, potentially threatening investigative reporting and source protection.
Why it matters
This case addresses the critical balance between digital privacy regulations and the freedom of the press.
Indian publishers contest Modi government’s privacy law left In 2025, the government announced the implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act to protect the digital personal data of users, raising compliance requirements for platforms like Meta and Google. Image for representation. digitalindia.gov.in digitalindia.gov.in https://th-i.thgim.com/public/latest-news/dd9udj/article71628208.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Data-protection-bill.jpg The October 6 lawsuit, being reported for the first time and due to be heard on October 27, 2026, is the most high-profile challenge to the government’s privacy law NEW DELHI A group of 21 news publishers has challenged the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, India’s privacy law, in court, arguing it would trample investigative work and let the government identify journalists’ sources, documents show.
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