Archive · 31 Jul 2025
Rights Groups Express Apprehension on Data Protection Act
Imagine a new law about protecting people's private information online.
Some groups are worried this law might make it harder to get important information from the government, like how things are run.
They think the law could stop journalists from writing stories about important issues and stop people from reporting wrongdoing.
This is because the law might allow the government to hide information by calling it 'personal', even if it's important for the public to know.
They are concerned this new law could limit people's right to find out information and to speak freely.
Rights groups voice concern over the potential impact of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
The Act is feared to undermine the Right to Information Act and press freedom.
Section 44(3) of the Act allows authorities to deny information classified as 'personal'.
Prashant Bhushan claims the Act amends the RTI Act to restrict sharing of personal information.
Concerns raised about the Act discouraging journalists and whistleblowers.
- Who
- Civil rights groups, journalist bodies, former High Court Justice AP Shah, and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan
- What
- Concerns raised over the potential impact of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
- When
- July 28 (based on the open letter) and Wednesday (based on news reporting)
- Where
- India
- Why
- Because of concerns that the Act may fail the Right to Information Act and end press freedom.
Critics of the Data Protection Act
No opposing view
Impact on Freedom
Critics of the Data Protection Act
The Act may fail the Right to Information Act and curtail press freedom.
No opposing view
No opposing view in this article.
Information Access
Critics of the Data Protection Act
The Act allows authorities to deny information by classifying it as 'personal'.
No opposing view
No opposing view in this article.
- Act in Question
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act
- Concern
- Undermining of Right to Information Act
- Affected Parties
- Journalists, Whistleblowers
- Key Provision
- Section 44(3)
- Action
- Open letter and expressions of apprehension