digital rights

In the quiet intimacy of our daily lives, there is perhaps no object more trusted, more inextricably bound to our personal narrative, than the smartphone. It rests on our nightstands as we sleep, it captures the first steps of our children, it holds the fragile threads of our financial security, and it acts as the repository for our most private thoughts and digital whispers. We have accepted a tacit social contract with the manufacturers of these devices: we trade a certain amount of data...

India’s evolving social media laws are redefining the boundaries of online free speech. The Karnataka High Court’s ruling upholding the government’s Sahyog Portal has spotlighted the clash between global tech platforms and national regulation. While the state emphasizes curbing misinformation and hate, concerns remain about overreach and the chilling effect on expression.

The ANI-YouTuber dispute highlights India's critical digital media juncture. It exposes ambiguous fair dealing laws (Section 52), YouTube's dominant, American-rooted platform policies, and the weaponization of copyright for aggressive revenue generation. This threatens independent journalism, exemplified by Mohak Mangal's case. The judiciary, legislature, and platforms must act to safeguard media freedom and ensure fair dealing for transformative content.

Know your rights under India's DPDP Act—control your data, withdraw consent, request access, and ensure digital privacy!