The Supreme Court today delivered a landmark judgment striking down several provisions of the 2025 amendment to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, ruling that they infringed upon citizens' fundamental right to privacy.
Writing for the majority, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud noted that while the state has legitimate interests in data regulation, the amendments went "far beyond what is necessary in a democratic society." The court specifically objected to provisions allowing blanket government access to encrypted communications.
Privacy advocates celebrated the ruling as a victory for digital rights. "This judgment reinforces India's position as a democracy that takes privacy seriously," said Apar Gupta of the Internet Freedom Foundation.
The government has expressed its intention to study the judgment carefully and bring revised legislation that addresses the court's concerns while maintaining national security capabilities.
