NationalSaturday, 8 August 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court to test DPDP Act impact on RTI and investigative journalism
On August 7, 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to examine whether the DPDP Act, 2023 weakens the RTI Act and affects investigative journalism.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On August 7, 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to examine whether the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, especially Section 44(3), can be used to block disclosures under the RTI Act, 2005 and affect investigative journalism.
Key specifics
- The case concerns Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, 2023, which amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi said both the DPDP Act and the RTI Act are central laws and must be harmonised.
- The petitioners argued that the 2023 law allows public authorities to refuse information by labelling it “personal”.
- Foundation for Media Professionals said the law could force journalists to seek consent from the data principal before reporting.
- The Court referred to earlier transparency and press-freedom rulings, including Subhash Chandra Agarwal and Indian Express Bombay Pvt Ltd.
Exam lens
Polity and governance question, RTI Act 2005, DPDP Act 2023, Section 44(3), Section 8(1)(j), privacy versus transparency; TNPSC may ask which section amended RTI and why journalists raised concern.