Medianama’s year in review for 2025

The Indian technology policy space started off with a bang in 2025 with the government releasing the draft Digital Data Protection (DPDP) Rules  that laid norms on how companies and citizens will exercise their right to privacy in the digital domain and navigate consent. (Our full coverage of the DPDP rules here and here). 

The DPDP Rules were finally passed in November and it was arguably the most significant technology policy development in India this year, however, other highlights of the year included: 

• The banning of real money gaming
• Proposed new regulation of AI specifically tackling deepfakes with the draft synthetic information rules and SOPs non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII)
• A renewed focus by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on dark patterns on e-commerce and quick commerce platforms
• The withdrawal of the draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024 as the government reconsidered a number of ex-ante provisions 
• The regulation of the gig economy with states like Karnataka, Rajasthan taking lead in bringing in protections for gig workers
• Copyright issues became front and centre with the ongoing ANI vs OpenAI court case where the news agency sought an injunction to prohibit OpenAI from using its data for future training purposes. 
• Copyright issues with AI culminated in December, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) paper where it proposed a mandatory AI licensing model with royalties and no opt-out for creators
• More copyright issues creeped up in 2025, but this time news agency ANI issued multiple copyright strikes against several prominent Indian YouTubers 
• There was increased curtailing of online speech with operationalisation and expansion of the Sahyog Portal

Even as these developments shape our conversation on technology policy and business in India, here is a look back at the most read stories on MedianNama by readers according to pageviews. 

1. Karnataka IT Minister Backs Bike Taxis, Goes Against State Govt’s Stance: Despite updated central rules allowing states to legalise bike taxis, Karnataka enforced a ban in June after a court order — prompting hunger strikes, legal workarounds, and public criticism. IT Minister Priyank Kharge broke ranks, calling for a regulatory sandbox, while Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy doubled down on legality concerns. The resulting policy standoff left gig workers in limbo, platforms in grey zones, and commuters without options.

2. TRAI Dismisses Level Playing Field Concerns Between Satcom and Telcos: In May, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) dismissed level playing field concerns raised by telecom operators over satellite communication services, arguing that technical limitations and higher terminal costs prevent satcom from competing with terrestrial networks at scale. The regulator emphasized that fixed and mobile satellite services serve niche markets and cannot match telcos’ traffic capacity, speed of network expansion, or user reach.

3. Is PhysicsWallah Ready for IPO? Employee Allegations of Unpaid Dues, Contract Breaches Raise Questions: PhysicsWallah’s path to becoming India’s first listed edtech firm was shadowed by growing scrutiny over its internal practices. Former employees have filed legal and regulatory complaints citing unpaid dues, abrupt dismissals, and misleading student outreach. The edtech  sector is still recovering from the collapse of BYJU’s and a steep funding decline, these allegations raise deeper questions about whether Indian edtech’s next phase will be built on stronger governance or repeat the mistakes of its rapid-growth past.

4. OpenAI Makes ChatGPT Go Subscription Free for Indian Users: What It Means?: In October, OpenAI’s decision to make ChatGPT free for Indian users marked a turning point in AI accessibility and platform strategy. .Free AI rollouts such as ChatGPT Go, Gemini Pro, and Perplexity Pro highlight a broader strategy: tech companies are using India’s vast digital population to build stickiness and long-term user loyalty. 

5. Why Real-Money Gaming Companies Shut Down Without the Ban Officially Coming Into Effect: In September, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025 was swiftly passed in Parliament without consultations or debates. The rules were still not effect and despite no official notification, companies like Winzo, MPL, and Games24x7 voluntarily shut down real-money operations amid reported pressure from banks and payment gateways, possibly spurred by informal instructions from RBI and government agencies. With financial rails effectively withdrawn and legal challenges pending before the Supreme Court, the law’s chilling effect showed how informal enforcement and regulatory ambiguity can bring an entire sector to a halt. 

An honorary mention. A story published in August 2019 is still being read in 2025 and racking up pageviews

Dr Kamakoti’s solution for WhatsApp traceability without breaking encryption is erroneous and not feasible: In 2019, Dr. V. Kamakoti proposed a traceability solution for encrypted apps like WhatsApp that aimed to identify message originators without breaking encryption. Though framed as privacy-preserving, experts flagged serious vulnerabilities, and six years later, the proposal still echoes in India’s unresolved encryption policy debates.

Other issues of note with our coverage of them follows. 

AI regulation 

Analysing MEITY’s Report on Development of AI Governance Guidelines: In January ,the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology outlined its core regulatory principle while regulating AI: harm mitigation. What this means is that the Indian government will not be looking at ex-ante rules (regulating AI harms before they occur), but rather focus more on self-regulation. However, the focus on harm mitigation led to formation of the draft synthetic information rules and SOPs non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). 

Govt Looks To Curb Deepfakes With Draft Amendment To IT Rules, 2021: In October, the Indian government proposed draft amendments to the IT Rules requiring platforms to label and quickly remove deepfakes flagged by authorities. While aimed at curbing AI-driven misinformation, the proposal raised concerns over vague definitions and the risk of overreach without adequate safeguards.

MeitY SOP Outlines How to Report Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery, Mandates Action from Intermediaries in 24 hrs: MeitY released a draft Standard Operating Procedure requiring intermediaries to act on NCII takedown requests within 24 hours and provide expedited redressal channels for victims. While the SOP aims to streamline response and protect privacy, it lacks clarity on enforcement, platform liability, and procedural safeguards. 

ANI Seeks Delhi HC Injunction Against OpenAI Over Content Use: News agency ANI filed a suit in the Delhi High Court seeking an injunction against OpenAI for allegedly using its content without permission. The case signals growing friction between AI developers and media organisations over data use, copyright, and consent—setting the stage for a critical legal battle in 2026 over how generative AI engages with news content.

DPIIT Committee Proposes Mandatory AI Licensing Model With Royalties And No Opt-Out For Creators: A DPIIT committee has recommended a mandatory licensing regime for AI models trained on copyrighted content, with fixed royalties and no opt-out for creators. If implemented, the framework could fundamentally reshape India’s AI ecosystem raising critical questions about consent, copyright, and whether forced licensing truly balances innovation with creator rights.

Online speech 

YouTube Removes ‘India’s Got Latent’ Episode After Govt Directive, But Is It Legally Justified?: In February, YouTube took down an episode of “India’s Got Latent” following a government order, marking yet another opaque content removal under India’s IT Rules. The incident underscores persistent concerns around lack of transparency, due process, and the growing use of executive power to shape online discourse.

In Defence of Offence: On the Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy: The Ranveer Allahbadia and India’s Got Latent controversy sparked renewed debate in 2025 over online speech, hurt sentiments, and the growing pressure to self-censor in India’s digital public sphere. MediaNama editor-in-chief, Nikhil Pahwa,  noted the incident reflects a wider trend where offense is weaponized to chill speech, raising hard questions about whose feelings set the boundaries of expression and who gets to decide.

MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age: Responding to Nikhil Pahwa, MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned boundaries of freedom of speech and whether content creators should take responsibility for what they publish. She emphasised that free speech should not be dictated by arbitrary state decisions or corporate policies, she highlighted the urgent need for clear, rights-based frameworks to govern India’s digital spaces.

How ANI’s Copyright Claims Could Undermine Fair Dealing Exceptions For News Reporting: In May, news agency ANI issued multiple copyright strikes against YouTubers for using short clips of its footage, triggering debate over fair use and press freedom. The move raised concerns about whether copyright law is being used to silence criticism, especially when the content in question involves commentary on publicly relevant news.

Explained: What is the Sahyog Portal that X has called out for censorship?: In April, social media platform X publicly objected to takedown demands linked to India’s Sahyog portal, a system through which law enforcement and government agencies can request content removal without public disclosure. The incident reignited concerns about opaque censorship mechanisms and the lack of transparency or due process in India’s expanding digital enforcement architecture.

Takedown Notices Served for Over 1100 Posts In A Year—What India Deemed Inciting “Public Mischief” on X?: While analysing X’s lawsuit against the Indian government, the social media company was ordered to remove 1,132 posts, with nearly half flagged under the vague category of “public mischief.” The scale and opacity of these orders highlight the growing use of executive power to control online discourse. 

Telecom and access

Draft telecom policy 2025 paves way for new satcom operators but with tighter security rules: India’s Draft Telecom Policy 2025 outlines plans to open up satcom services to competition while placing national security at the center of licensing and network access decisions. While the move could boost connectivity and market growth, the draft’s broad security clauses raise concerns about discretionary control and potential barriers for global satcom operators.

Government Wants Telcos To Implement Caller IDs By Default: In October, the Indian government proposed making caller ID display mandatory by default for all telecom users, requiring telcos to show the caller’s verified name on incoming calls. While aimed at curbing spam and fraud, the proposal sparked concerns over privacy, data accuracy, and the lack of user consent in revealing personal identity information.

DoT Seeks to Create Platform for Mobile Number Validation: What This Means for Businesses and User Privacy: In June, the DoT proposed mandatory mobile number validation through telecom operators for all digital services, aiming to curb fraud and improve user verification. However, critics warned that the move could undermine user privacy, increase business compliance burdens, and create a centralised layer of surveillance without adequate legal safeguards.

Why the DoT Mandate on Sanchar Saathi App Pre-installation on Smartphones is a Privacy Concern? The Indian government proposed mandating the pre-installation of its Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones to help users track and block lost or stolen devices. While positioned as a consumer protection tool, the move triggered privacy concerns over potential surveillance, lack of consent, and the broader implications of government-mandated software on personal devices. The directive was later withdrawn following widespread criticism over its feasibility. 

It’s Not Just Sanchar Saathi, New SIM-Binding Rules Could Change How Messaging Apps Work in India: In December, the Department of Telecommunications directed messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to bind user accounts to SIM cards, aiming to curb fraud and enforce traceability. The move raised alarms over user privacy, encryption integrity, and the expanding role of telecom regulators in shaping platform policy without legislative backing.

Platform regulation

WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy Update And The Legal Battles vs CCI: A Detailed Timeline: In 2025, the fallout from WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update continues, with the Competition Commission of India pursuing an antitrust case over alleged abuse of dominance. Despite multiple court challenges and a delayed final verdict, the case remains a key test of how Indian regulators handle Big Tech’s data practices and user consent.

Explainer: New Online Gaming Bill to Ban Operating, Advertising, Payments of RMG in India: The draft Online Gaming (Regulation) Bill proposed sweeping restrictions on real-money gaming in India, including bans on operating, advertising, and processing payments for such platforms.

E-commerce and Quick Commerce developments

Parliamentary Report Flags Deep Discounting in Quick Commerce, CCI Says It Has Tools to Act: In 2025, the Competition Commission of India turned its focus to quick commerce platforms like Zepto and Blinkit, investigating allegations of predatory pricing and market distortion. The inquiry reflects growing regulatory concern that deep discounting strategies, while popular with consumers, may be unsustainable and harmful to long-term competition and smaller retailers.

Govt Forms Task Force to Curb Dark Patterns in Apps, Calls on Platforms to Self-Audit: India ramped up its crackdown on deceptive “dark patterns” in digital platforms, with a government task force identifying manipulative app design practices and recommending stricter oversight. By November, the CCPA required 18 major e-commerce and quick commerce platforms to submit self-audit declarations, marking a shift toward formal compliance and signalling broader regulatory scrutiny of user interface design tactics that mislead or pressure consumers.

Karnataka Gig Workers Bill Explained: Welfare Fund, Contracts, and Algorithm Rules: Karnataka took the lead in passing legislation to give protection for gig workers and increasing algorithmic transparency. The legislation established a welfare board and mandating contributions from platforms to a social security fund for gig and platform workers. The bill also proposes enforceable contracts, transparency in algorithmic decision-making, and dispute resolution mechanisms. 

Videos and interviews

Video: Shreya Ghoshal on her struggle to stop celeb-bait ads on X: In 2025, scam ads using fake endorsements from celebrities like Shreya Ghoshal proliferated across platforms like X, highlighting ongoing failures in detecting and removing fraudulent content. Despite repeated user reports and media coverage, the persistence of such ads exposed weak ad review systems and the lack of accountability in platform advertising infrastructure.

Video: Praveen Khandelwal on Q-Commerce Companies and the Threat to Traditional Kirana Stores: In 2025, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) warned that quick commerce platforms pose a long-term threat to kirana stores by undercutting prices and capturing customer data. The group called for stronger regulation to ensure fair competition and protect small retailers from being edged out by deep-pocketed digital players. An interview with Praveen Khandelwal co-founder of CAIT. 
Video: IDfy CEO Ashok Hariharan on Consent Management and Fraud Risks in Digital Hiring: IDfy CEO Ashok Hariharan raised concerns about weak consent mechanisms in India’s digital ecosystem, warning that poorly verified user data fuels fraud risks, especially in employment and financial services. His remarks highlighted the growing need for robust consent infrastructure and standardised protocols to prevent misuse as identity verification becomes central to digital trust.

We’ve had a really busy year. Thank you for reading us and contributing to the conversation on technology policy and business in India. We’ll be back soon. Happy New Year!