The transition from personal loss and reflection to professional engagement reminds me of the interconnectedness of our personal and professional lives. Even as life throws its challenges, the wheel of progress continues. My daughter Aru wrote about her perspective on loss of a grandparent in her substack.
As I left Dehradun, I carried more than just memories—I carried the quiet reminder that good things don’t just happen to us. They’re choices we make: seeing love in the cracks, presence in absence, and meaning in life’s fragments. This wasn’t just a goodbye to Nani’s house; it was a reminder of all the love and strength I carry with me, the people that make it special. It was an ending, yes, but also a beginning in its own way.
This week, I return to share insights on two vital developments in the digital and regulatory landscape: the recent U.S. court ruling on net neutrality and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025. These discussions underscore the evolving dynamics of internet governance and data privacy, framing the role of intermediaries and regulatory measures as cornerstones in shaping a responsible digital future.
Let’s dive in.
DTW
During the Week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit struck down the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) net neutrality rules, ending nearly two decades of debate over regulating broadband providers as utilities. The court ruled that the FCC lacked statutory authority to reinstate rules preventing internet service providers from blocking or slowing access to content. This decision reflects a broader rollback of federal regulations underpinned by the US Supreme Court’s Loper Bright ruling, which limits agency powers. While the decision marks a victory for broadband companies like Comcast, it has reignited calls for Congress to enshrine net neutrality into federal law.
While in India, the Indian government released draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, aiming to enforce robust data privacy safeguards. The rules outline responsibilities for "data fiduciaries," including obtaining informed user consent, protecting personal data, and reporting breaches to the Data Protection Board of India within 72 hours. Provisions address children’s data, inactive users, and technical safeguards. The draft introduces "consent managers" to streamline user permissions. While promoting accountability, the rules allow government entities to collect data for subsidies and statistical purposes under certain exemptions. Open for public feedback, the draft aims to balance innovation with individual privacy rights.
The recent U.S. court ruling striking down net neutrality and India’s release of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) draft rules signify pivotal shifts in digital governance, with implications for innovation, consumer rights, and access to digital infrastructure. While the U.S. decision highlights regulatory rollback, India’s DPDP reflects a proactive regulatory approach, underscoring contrasting priorities.
From an innovation perspective, the U.S. ruling could stifle startups and smaller players reliant on net neutrality by enabling broadband providers to prioritize services for higher-paying entities. In contrast, India’s DPDP rules incentivize innovation in data protection technologies like consent managers and security systems, fostering a more inclusive digital ecosystem. Both, however, highlight the role of private platforms as custodians of consumer trust, albeit in divergent ways.
In terms of consumer rights, the Indian DPDP framework emphasizes safeguarding individual privacy and informed consent, empowering users in the digital age. It sets robust standards for handling breaches, ensuring accountability for data fiduciaries. Conversely, the absence of net neutrality in the U.S. could undermine consumer rights by granting internet providers the ability to manipulate traffic, potentially reducing access to unbiased content and competition.
Access to digital infrastructure is another point of divergence. Net neutrality's repeal in the U.S. risks creating a tiered internet, limiting equitable access for marginalized communities. In India, the DPDP rules aim to bridge gaps in privacy protections while accommodating digital growth, crucial for a diverse, emerging economy. However, challenges such as low digital literacy and rural connectivity remain barriers to its effective implementation.
In fact, our our recent event (Full Report) on Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) highlighted how DPIs can ensure equitable access to digital resources while safeguarding consumer rights in a data-driven era. India’s DPDP framework aligns with this vision by emphasizing privacy, informed consent, and accountability. Meanwhile, the net neutrality debate underlines the importance of open digital ecosystems for innovation and access. Our discussions emphasized the need for strong regulatory frameworks and DPIs to create inclusive digital economies, fostering trust, innovation, and equitable growth in the Indian context.
In the Indian context, where digital transformation is vital for socio-economic development, safeguarding privacy (via DPDP) and maintaining access (akin to net neutrality) are essential for balancing consumer rights, innovation, and inclusive infrastructure growth. The Indian government must ensure that regulation supports equitable digital progress while fostering trust and innovation.
India's robust history with net neutrality sheds light on the current debate regarding its potential erosion. I still recall the discussion in class and elsewhere when Facebook started promoting Free Basics in India. This week’s developments on net neutrality echo the 2016 debates, highlighting the enduring tension between innovation, consumer rights, and corporate control, reminding us of the critical need for equitable digital access.
The 2016 rejection of Facebook's Free Basics program by TRAI established India as a global leader in promoting an open internet, disallowing discriminatory pricing for internet services. This decision was driven by the principle of ensuring a level playing field for all digital platforms, fostering innovation, and protecting consumer rights.
However, a rollback of net neutrality could invite significant challenges. Allowing differential pricing or prioritization by telecom companies could lead to market monopolization by larger players, stifling smaller innovators and entrepreneurs. It risks fragmenting the internet into premium and basic tiers, potentially exacerbating digital divides. For consumers, this could mean reduced access to diverse content and higher costs for services.
The lessons from India's earlier stance emphasize the importance of safeguarding net neutrality to ensure a competitive digital economy. Revisiting these principles is critical to fostering inclusivity and innovation in India's digital ecosystem.
OTW
Over the Weekend, I was part of Generative AI Workshop at IBS Hyderabad Official , organized by the Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation (CeDT) in collaboration with the IBS ANALYTICS CLUB.
A heartfelt thank you to Suryanarayana Ambatipudi , a highly accomplished leader in data science and machine learning, for facilitating practical insights into enterprise-wide machine learning policies, model observability solutions, and predictive modeling.
As usual Sunday morning was spent with my running buddies who all are preparing for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 scheduled on 19th Jan 2025 and other events scheduled later.
Over a Sunday Afternoon Lunch, hundreds of runners across Hyderabad and I celebrated a momentous occasion with Vasavi and Rajesh Vetcha: their 20th anniversary of running together. As a fellow member of Hyderabad Runners, I've witnessed firsthand Rajesh's invaluable contributions to our vibrant community. From mentoring aspiring runners to tirelessly organizing events, his dedication is truly inspiring. Whether leading runs or offering words of encouragement, "Chief," as we fondly call him, has been a driving force behind our shared passion for running. This celebration wasn't just about their personal milestone, but a recognition of the positive impact Rajesh has had on countless runners in Hyderabad. We are all very proud of you, Chief!
May the inspiring story of Vasavi and Rajesh motivate all of us to pursue our passions with dedication and joy!
I Love You.
Shailendra
PS
Would love to hear your views. Just comment below or perhaps send an email or simply call.
Let me also ask you for a favour. Please answer this survey to share your feedback on newsletter.
And, if somebody forwarded this email to you, please sign up for an awesome, dis-intermediated and fruitful relationship by clicking on following link and subscribing to the newsletter.
AND if you are a friend of the RPML, do share it with others. You can add more of your friends to the Community of Platform’ed by using the following link.