Stakeholders Seek Extension for Comments on Draft Digital Competition Law

Stakeholders across various sectors have called upon the Indian government for additional time to provide their feedback on the proposed draft digital competition law. This request was articulated through an open letter addressed to Corporate Affairs Secretary Manoj Govil, highlighting concerns over the complexity and far-reaching implications of the legislation. Entities such as CUTS International, Broadband India Forum, Internet Freedom Foundation, and The Dialogue, alongside 26 individuals, have collectively voiced their plea for an extended deadline.

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The initial deadline for submitting comments on both the draft law and the report by the Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL) was set for April 15, which has now been extended to May 15. However, the signatories of the letter argue that this extension still does not provide sufficient time for a thorough and informed analysis of the bill's contents. They are advocating for a further extension of five months to ensure comprehensive inputs can be made.

The draft digital competition law is poised to significantly influence various facets of the digital economy. It encompasses areas such as user experience, data protection and security, supply chains, investments, and business costs for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as consumer affordability. Moreover, its effects are expected to ripple into non-digital sectors due to their interconnectedness with digital services.

In March, India's fair trade regulator introduced the digital competition bill with the intention of establishing a more equitable competitive environment within the digital marketplace. This includes imposing specific obligations on large digital enterprises and news aggregators. The Committee on Digital Competition Law, established in February of the previous year, has focused its efforts on introducing ex-ante regulations designed to preemptively curb anti-competitive practices.

The stakeholders' request underscores the necessity for a detailed examination and discussion of the proposed legislation's implications. Given the technical intricacies and potential impact on a wide range of sectors, an extended timeline for submitting comments would facilitate more nuanced and informed contributions from all concerned parties.