INDIA DATA PROTECTION LAWS
Gauhati High Court quashes preventive detention of Assam rights activist Pranab Doley under NSA
Doley was arrested in Guwahati on July 12 in connection with protests against a proposed luxury hotel at Inglay Pathar near Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district. He was lodged in Golaghat district jail and secured bail from a district court on July 29. However, the state government invoked the NSA against him the following day, resulting in his continued detention.
Equinix seeking land for India data centres: CEO
The world’s largest data centre operator by footprint, valued at nearly $100 billion, has invested $365 million in India and sees significant opportunities in AI inference, the process of using trained models to generate responses and run business applications. Such workloads require proximity to enterprise data, users and networks.
Vaishnaw puts onus on social media platforms to curb online harm, stops short of safe-harbour clarity
Vaishnaw said social media companies could no longer remain passive intermediaries as the digital ecosystem evolved and must take responsibility for the harmful consequences of content circulated through their platforms, including cyber fraud and so-called digital arrest scams.
Pro Kannada outfit meets Bengaluru airport firms, presses for higher local hiring
Kannada Rakshana Vedike held discussions to address local hiring concerns with companies at Kempegowda International Airport. KRV president T.A. Narayana Gowda emphasised the need for fair employment opportunities for Kannadigas. Several organisations participated in the meeting and expressed commitment to increase local hiring. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar encouraged private employers to utilise Karnataka's talent pool more effectively. The organisation plans further outreach to enhance employment for locals in various sectors.
Google, Meta, TikTok sue to block California youth social media law
The law, known as Assembly Bill 1709, prohibits such platforms from offering underage children "psychologically exploitative features" that could lead to compulsive use, such as providing personal recommendations and sending videos through autoplay features. It also requires the deletion of children's accounts with those features.
US airlines may face fresh scrutiny as Democrats plan probes into pricing and passenger rights
Following a significant midterm election victory, Democrats intend to scrutinize airlines regarding personalized pricing practices and passenger protection rules. The Federal Trade Commission has requested information from major airlines about the influence of personal data on pricing. Congress plans to revive protections that were previously withdrawn, including compensation for travel disruptions. Legislators are also exploring requirements for transparency in ticket pricing and additional passenger rights.
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What is Polyamory? Inside California City's decision to legally recognize throuples and foursomes as domestic partners
In a significant step towards inclusivity, West Hollywood's new ordinance permits polyamorous relationships to be officially registered as domestic partnerships. This change provides legal safeguards for multi-partner families regarding hospital visitations and housing security. However, it does not extend full marriage benefits or inheritance rights. Following the lead of Somerville and Cambridge in Massachusetts, this ordinance showcases a growing acceptance of varied family dynamics while maintaining traditional marriage statutes.
SC seeks Centre, ECI response to plea challenging blanket immunity for Election Commissioners
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission on a plea challenging legal immunity granted to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners for acts performed in official duties. The petition questions whether Section 16 of the 2023 law violates constitutional principles of equality, accountability and access to justice.
Supreme Court issues notice on plea challenging blanket immunity granted to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, ECs amid SIR row
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and Election Commission of India to respond to a petition. This petition challenges the blanket legal immunity provided to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners for their official actions. The petitioner argues that this immunity lacks accountability and covers acts without good faith. Additionally, the Act has faced scrutiny regarding its amendment process and previous rulings.
India leads on non-animal testing and its draft lab animal rules threaten to undo that
India's draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules 2026 proposes significant changes to animal research regulations and oversight. It allows for harsher experimental practices that could cause severe suffering to animals. Local committees would gain power to approve experiments without thorough central review, raising concerns about ethical standards. This shift contradicts the existing legal framework established by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
Supreme Court directs Centre to set up special cell to monitor child labour law
The Supreme Court has instructed the Centre to create a special cell for monitoring child labour law implementation. This special cell is to ensure compliance with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is responsible for issuing directions to state enforcement agencies. The court noted the importance of strict enforcement of the amended provisions of the law.
Vietnam proposes pact with India to protect classified information
Vietnam has proposed an agreement with India to exchange and protect classified information, while both countries have agreed to strengthen real-time sharing of strategic intelligence. The proposals were discussed during National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s meetings with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi.
Wockhardt seeks 14-year data shield for India-made drugs
Mumbai-based Wockhardt has struck success in its innovative research on a range of antibiotic drugs, bridging a global pipeline gap for difficult-to-treat infections. In May this year, the company secured approvals from Indian and US drug regulators for a breakthrough drug, Zaynich (cefepime + zidebactam), to treat complicated urinary tract infection, including acute pyelonephritis or severe kidney infections. Wockhardt has showcased six drugs to treat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Law firms draft special teams to help GCCs navigate India terrain
Multinational companies expanding their global capability centres in India may face multiple regulatory and operational challenges going forward. Law firms are forming specialist teams to help these companies navigate complex issues including employment laws and data localisation.
India's data centre capacity set for 5x surge by 2030
By March 2030, India’s data centre capacity is projected to soar to 7.5 gigawatts, fueled by escalating demand from global hyperscalers and the emergence of generative artificial intelligence. However, challenges such as power infrastructure and project execution timing loom large. To mitigate these risks, pre-commitments and long-term contracts are essential, alongside the industry's flexibility to adapt to changing computing needs, which will dictate its future profitability.
Govt mulls giving Cert-In enforceable powers to mandate patching
Last month, two critical flaws in the PHP programming language, discovered with the help of AI, created worldwide panic as hackers targeted the vulnerabilities millions of times, and led to governments including the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan taking down public websites. PHP powers 69.3% of websites worldwide.
Homebuyers’ body FPCE urges PM Modi to restructure RERA as consumer protection law
The Forum for People’s Collective Efforts has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to overhaul the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act. They emphasize the critical need to distinguish consumer protection from the promotion of the real estate sector, citing persistent enforcement challenges. The group reveals that many homebuyers are facing financial losses due to stalled projects.
Consent managers search for viable revenue model as registration nears
Consent managers are intended to help individuals manage, review and withdraw consent for the processing of their personal data, and they're required to be registered with the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI). A consent manager is data-blind, and processes metadata, consent artifacts, and cryptographic routing instructions.
KKR, Singtel and Tata Communications put data centre company STT GDC India up for sale at over $5.5 billion
In a significant move, KKR, Singtel, and Tata Communications are gearing up to offload STT Global Data Centres India, anticipating a valuation that could surpass $5.5 billion. This initiative underscores their intent to bolster capital and refine strategic objectives. With 34 data centres in operation, STT GDC India stands as a leading co-location service provider, well-poised to capitalize on the escalating appetite for data infrastructure amidst evolving tech trends.
CJI Kant calls for introspection on need to improve responsiveness of judicial process
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the importance of enhancing the responsiveness of the judicial process. He stated that many litigants seek urgent hearings at the Supreme Court instead of waiting for High Courts. Kant advocated for improved listing procedures and transparent processes to facilitate timely justice. He praised the Kerala High Court's historical role in promoting constitutional rights over its seventy-year journey.
Coast Guard chief stresses importance of human judgement amid rise of AI, emerging tech
Indian Coast Guard Director General Paramesh Sivamani has said artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can strengthen maritime security but cannot replace human judgement, conscience or courage. Addressing Karnavati University's convocation, he outlined the Coast Guard's expanding technological capabilities, highlighted India's maritime security priorities and urged graduates to place integrity and responsibility at the centre of their careers.
MeitY unveils DEPA handbook to enable trusted data sharing for AI training
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched a handbook on Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture. This handbook is designed to enhance collaboration on data for AI training while ensuring data control. IT Secretary S Krishnan emphasized the importance of responsible and secure data usage in India's AI ambitions. The handbook enables accountability and transparency by tracing data provenance throughout the training process.
PHP scare sparks calls for urgent corp DPDP audits to plug all gaps
The incidents underline the need to identify gaps in companies’ security practices and clarify what constitutes reasonable safeguards before the law takes effect, they said. The DPDP Act is being implemented in phases, with a May 2027 deadline for full compliance obligations.
Government open to media suggestions on Digital Personal Data Protection Act, promises to uphold press freedom
The Government of India is willing to consider suggestions from news organisations about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that journalistic freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution and will not be affected. Concerns have been raised about the Act's provisions potentially infringing on press freedom and the Right to Information Act. The Digital News Publishers Association argues for exemptions for journalism activities within the DPDP Act.
Social media norms, AI, deepfakes, chips among others on review list of parliamentary panel in 2026-27
The development comes as several incidents of age-inappropriate content, circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and alleged censorship on social media have been reported widely.
Centre open to changes in DPDP law to protect press freedom, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
The Centre aims to amend the Digital Personal Data Protection law to address concerns raised by news publishers. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the law does not limit press freedom. This response follows a Supreme Court notice regarding a petition from the Digital News Publishers Association and others. Publishers argue the lack of exemption for journalism could jeopardize investigative reporting and confidential sources.
SC seeks Centre's response on PIL on transgender rights law
The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response regarding a PIL from Women's Declaration International India. This PIL raises concerns over potential conflicts between transgender rights and protections for biological women. Senior advocate Akhil Sibal highlighted issues related to rights in areas like sports and prisons. The Solicitor General discussed implications of gender identity regulations on women's legal protections. The matter is currently linked to ongoing hearings on transgender legislation.
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on media groups' challenge to privacy law
A petition from the Digital News Publishers Association challenges provisions of India's digital privacy law. The law may restrict journalistic activities by requiring consent from individuals under investigation. News publishers argue that this could hinder the freedom of the press and expose confidential sources. Concerns regarding the potential penalties for non-compliance have also been raised by the petitioners.
Clock’s ticking for data protection, but the boardroom remains empty
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, the framework for registering consent managers with the DPBI is scheduled to start on November 13. But a government response to a Right to Information (RTI) application shows that the board spent not a single rupee on salaries, office expenses, rent or information and communication technology equipment as of September 30 this year.
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