Supreme Court Refers Challenges to RTI Amendments Under Digital Data Protection Act

The Supreme Court has referred petitions challenging amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which provide blanket exemptions for personal data under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, to a Constitution Bench. The DPDP Act, enacted following the 2017 Puttaswamy judgment that recognized privacy as a fundamental right, establishes a legal framework for personal data protection. The amendments raise concerns about potential dilution of RTI provisions, balancing privacy rights with public interest in transparency amid evolving digital governance.