Data protection law does not infringe on press freedom, claims Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday claimed that the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act does not infringe on press freedom, adding that journalistic independence is guaranteed under the Constitution, The Hindu reported.

His remarks to reporters came a day after the Supreme Court issued notice to the Union government seeking its response to a petition challenging the Act and its rules.

The Digital News Publishers Association, which represents 21 media publishers, including those owned by businesspersons Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, has challenged the law, citing violation of journalistic freedom.

The petition said that the law “threatens the full spectrum of journalistic activity carried out by journalists, ground reporters, citizens, whistleblowers, Right to Information activists and other stakeholders”.

On Wednesday, Vaishnaw, the Union minister of electronics and information technology, claimed that the Act “absolutely maintains, fully maintains the journalistic freedom, the Constitution guarantees”, and was aimed at protecting personal data.

“There is not even an intention to affect the journalistic freedom,” The Hindu quoted him as saying. He also invited editors and media professionals to hold discussions with the government to address concerns about the law.

What the law says

The 2025 Digital Personal Data Protection Rules were notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in November 2025, bringing into effect the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act.

Section 44(3) of the...

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