Media groups challenge India’s privacy law at top court
Summary
A group of 21 Indian news publishers has challenged the country’s privacy law in the Supreme Court, arguing that its consent and data-erasure rules could obstruct reporting and expose journalists’ sources. The court said it would hear the case next month; the publishers also object to the government’s powers to demand information and block access to it.Key Facts
- The publishers include Network18, NDTV, the Indian Express and Times Internet.
- The publishers argue that requiring journalists to seek consent from people they report on could let those people destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses.
- The law allows people to withdraw consent and request that their personal data be erased, with no public-interest safeguard described in the publishers’ filing.
- The publishers say a federal authority can fine organizations for failing to comply with the law.
- The law gives New Delhi power to block access to information in the interests of the general public, according to the article.
- From next year, the government will be able to require organizations handling personal data to provide information it requests, the publishers say.
- The publishers say these powers could expose confidential sources and discourage whistleblowers from contacting reporters.
- The Supreme Court said it would hear the challenge next month.
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