21 Indian publishers challenge privacy law in Supreme Court

Twenty-one news publishers have asked India’s Supreme Court to quash most contentious provisions of the country’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, arguing that the law could undermine investigative journalism and expose confidential sources. The challenge was filed on October 6 by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), according to a 698-page court filing. The hearing is scheduled for October 27, 2026, and no ruling has been reported. The publishers argue that the law lacks a written exemption for journalism despite assurances at an August meeting that press freedom would be protected. They say its consent rules could require reporters to notify people they are investigating, potentially giving those subjects an opportunity to destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses. The filing also objects to provisions allowing people to withdraw consent and request erasure of their data. The DNPA says that, without a public-interest safeguard, those rules could force publishers to remove or heavily redact factual reporting. The contested provisions are due to take effect in May 2027. Another concern is the law’s provisions for government access to information. The DNPA argues...