Rapid growth of digital sector and emerging challenges around data protection, competition, and consumer welfare were discussed in the meeting

The Chairperson, Competition Commission of India (CCI) held a meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) today, to deliberate on issues relating to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), and other matters such as interface with competition law. Officers from the CCI and MeitY also participated in the discussion.

In digital economies, data serves as the foundational resource driving innovation, efficiency, and value creation across sectors. However, the centrality of data also gives rise to competition and privacy concerns. During the meeting, rapid growth of the digital sector and the emerging challenges around data protection, competition, and consumer welfare were discussed. Presentations on provisions of DPDP Act, Competition Act, 2002 and CCI’s work in digital markets were made.

The deliberations highlighted the shared commitment of the CCI and MeitY towards ensuring a transparent, competitive, and innovation-friendly digital ecosystem, while safeguarding the interests of consumers and businesses alike. The meeting underscored importance of consultative regulatory approach between CCI and MeitY, to ensure harmony between data governance and competition principlesin light of  emerging technological trends.

The Chairperson CCI reaffirmed CCI’s readiness to work closely with MeitY on areas of mutual interest, noting that constructive dialogue and regulatory coordination will help in fostering trust, innovation, and resilience in India’s digital economy.

The meeting concluded with the resolve to maintain regular interaction and consultation to address evolvingissues and support India’s vision of a secure, competitive, and digitally empowered economy.

Data protection and competition coordination advances through regulator consultation to harmonise digital market oversight for consumer welfare. The Competition Commission of India and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology discussed the regulatory interface between the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and competition law in digital markets, noting that data-driven models implicate competition, privacy, and consumer welfare. They committed to a consultative regulatory approach to harmonise data governance and competition principles, with regular interaction to coordinate policy and enforcement, support innovation-friendly conditions, and protect consumer and business interests.