
Government Confirms Journalists Not Classified as 'Data Fiduciaries' Under DPDP Act
What Happened?
The Indian government clarified that journalists and news organizations are not considered 'data fiduciaries' under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, ensuring press freedom remains intact. This statement aims to alleviate concerns regarding potential restrictions on investigative journalism.
Key points
- The DPDP Act does not classify journalists and news organizations as data fiduciaries.
- Data fiduciaries include entities like banks and telecom operators that handle personal data.
- The government remains open to discussing amendments to safeguard journalistic activities.
- Concerns were raised that the DPDP Act could complicate public interest reporting.
- Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of press freedom.
Key insights
- The government's stance may encourage more open dialogue with media professionals.
- Clarifying the definition of data fiduciaries could prevent future legal complications for journalists.
- Maintaining press freedom is crucial for democratic accountability and transparency.
Why it matters
This clarification helps ensure that journalistic activities can continue without legal hindrance.
Source
Times Now

