India: New data law threatens press freedom / IFJ

India’s new DPDP Act aims to protect citizen data through strict security mandates and significant penalties for non-compliance, establishing a dedicated enforcement board. This framework ostensibly strengthens digital privacy by requiring explicit consent from tech platforms and government services, creating a structured approach to handling personal information within the country’s expanding digital economy. However, the legislation’s broad exemptions for state agencies undermine these safeguards, granting the government arbitrary power with minimal oversight. Critics argue this ambiguity severely weakens press freedom by creating legal hurdles for transparency and enabling potential censorship. The law effectively restricts independent journalism by allowing authorities to intimidate reporters and limit access to public-interest information under the guise of data protection. This case is critical for open data advocates as it highlights the tension between privacy regulation and transparency. The act demonstrates how vague data laws can be weaponized to suppress accountability journalism and hinder public access to information. It serves as a cautionary example of how privacy frameworks, without robust checks, can inadvertently erode the open information ecosystems essential for democratic societies and effective data-driven accountability.

Source: ifj.org
Published on 2025-11-28

India: New data law threatens press freedom / IFJ

Related news