CCI and MeitY Hold Talks on DPDP Act, Data Governance and Competition in Digital Economy

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) held a high-level meeting today to deliberate on the evolving regulatory landscape in India’s digital economy. The discussion focused on the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), its interface with competition law, and the broader implications of data governance on innovation, consumer welfare, and fair market practices. Senior officers from both institutions participated in the session, which featured detailed presentations on the DPDP Act, the Competition Act, 2002, and CCI’s ongoing work in digital markets.

Data as the New Driver of Growth—and Risk

In today’s digital age, data has become the foundational resource driving economic growth, business efficiency, and consumer services. However, the same centrality of data also raises concerns of privacy, misuse, market concentration, and consumer harm. The meeting recognized that the rapid expansion of India’s digital ecosystem—from e-commerce and fintech to artificial intelligence and cloud services—has created new opportunities for innovation but also complex regulatory challenges.

Aligning Data Protection and Competition

The discussions explored how data governance frameworks under the DPDP Act intersect with competition principles enforced by the CCI. Both institutions acknowledged the need to:

• Prevent abuse of dominance and anti-competitive conduct in digital markets where data concentration could distort competition.

• Protect consumer rights and privacy, while enabling businesses to use data responsibly.

• Encourage data portability and interoperability, ensuring that consumers and smaller firms are not locked out of digital ecosystems.

• Maintain a balance between innovation incentives and fair market access, so that startups and MSMEs can compete on a level playing field with large digital platforms.

Shared Commitment to a Consultative Approach

The meeting underscored the importance of a consultative regulatory approach between CCI and MeitY to address overlapping issues in digital governance. Both sides emphasized that regulatory coordination is vital in light of emerging technological trends such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital advertising, and platform-driven economies.

The Chairperson of CCI reaffirmed the regulator’s readiness to work closely with MeitY in areas of mutual interest, stating that constructive dialogue and collaborative frameworks will foster trust, innovation, and resilience in India’s digital economy.

India’s Digital Vision

The deliberations also linked the discussion to India’s broader vision of becoming a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The participants agreed that a well-balanced framework—combining data protection, competition safeguards, and innovation incentives—will ensure that India remains competitive globally while protecting consumer interests domestically.

Next Steps

The meeting concluded with a commitment to regular interaction and consultation between CCI and MeitY. Both institutions agreed to deepen engagement, share expertise, and respond proactively to evolving issues in data governance and competition law.

This collaborative approach will play a crucial role in supporting India’s efforts to build a secure, transparent, and competitive digital ecosystem, reinforcing the government’s commitment to consumer welfare, market fairness, and sustainable innovation.