INDIA · SCILitigation
India's Supreme Court seeks government reply to publishers' data protection law challenge
The Supreme Court of India on October 27, 2026, issued notice to the central government on a petition by the Digital News Publishers Association, representing 21 digital news publishers, challenging the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and its 2025 rules. The publishers argue the law lacks a journalism exemption. The court declined an interim stay without hearing the government and listed the case for November 17.
Filing (LiveLaw) → · Bar & Bench, The Times of India
Key points
- A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice on the petition and stay application.LiveLawBar & Bench
- The petition seeks to strike down Sections 7, 17(2), 18, 19, 27, 29, 36, 37 and 44(3) of the act and three of its rules.LiveLaw
- Publishers say the absence of a journalism exemption would subject reporting to consent, notice and erasure duties.LiveLawBar & Bench
- They argue Section 36 lets the government demand data without judicial oversight, risking exposure of confidential sources.LiveLawBar & Bench
- Members include Network18, NDTV, The Indian Express, Times Internet and The Hindu; the case returns November 17.LiveLawBar & BenchThe Times of India
Sources3 articles across 3 outlets
Bar & Bench
LiveLaw
The Times of India