A group representing 21 digital news publishers has challenged provisions of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, in the Supreme Court, arguing that the law could complicate investigative reporting and expose confidential sources.
The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) filed a 698-page petition on October 6, challenging provisions of the Act and rules notified on November 14, 2025. The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on October 27 but declined to stay the law. The next hearing is scheduled for November 17.
The publishers’ principal concern is the absence of an explicit exemption for public-interest journalism. Earlier drafts of the data protection legislation had included such a provision, but it was omitted from the 2022 draft and not restored in the 2023 Act.
The law generally requires organisations processing personal data to obtain consent, disclose the purpose of processing and safeguard information. Publishers argue that these requirements could create difficulties when reporters investigate matters such as alleged corruption, undisclosed assets or irregularities in public contracts.
They have also raised concerns over provisions allowing individuals to seek erasure of personal data, saying such requests could be used to pressure news organisations to remove legitimate reports from their websites and archives. The law does not, however, provide an unconditional right to have any published story deleted.
Another contested provision allows the Centre to seek information from the Data Protection Board, data fiduciaries and intermediaries for specified statutory purposes. The DNPA says the power lacks adequate judicial oversight and could expose journalists’ notes, communications and confidential sources.
The Act also provides for substantial financial penalties, including a maximum of Rs 250 crore for certain security-safeguard failures. Section 37 allows the government, subject to procedural conditions, to block specified online information following repeated penalties and a recommendation from the Board.
The Centre has defended the law as a framework to protect individual privacy and strengthen accountability. During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant asked the publishers to suggest safeguards that would protect press freedom while preventing misuse of personal information.
Most contested operational provisions are scheduled to take effect on May 13, 2027.