The Reporters’ Collective, Nitin Sethi Challenge DPDP Act in Supreme Court

Digital news platform The Reporters’ Collective and journalist Nitin Sethi have approached the Supreme Court of India, challenging key provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the 2025 Rules.

The petition questions Section 44(3), which amends Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. It argues that the change removes the earlier public interest balancing test and creates a near-blanket bar on disclosure of personal information, thereby weakening transparency.

The plea also challenges Section 36 of the DPDP Act, alleging excessive executive power to access data without adequate safeguards, violating Articles 14, 19 and 21.

Concerns have also been raised about the independence of the Data Protection Board.

[The Reporters Collective & Anr. v. UOI & Anr.]