Former Information Commissioners have expressed reservations about the proposal to amend the Right to Information Act through the Data Protection Bill, which would result in the complete exclusion of personal information from disclosure.

In a virtual press conference held on December 13, Mr. Ratnakar Gaikwad, Former Chief Secretary and CIC Maharashtra, Mr. Rahul Singh, State Information Commissioner Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Yashovardhan Azad, Former Central Information Commissioner and Retired IPS, Mr. Shailesh Gandhi, Former Central Information Commissioner, and Mr. Aatmdeep, Former Information Commissioner, M. P, addressed the issue.

Mr. Ratnakar Gaikwad stated that, "Anyone who aims to dilute the provisions of the RTI Act is against democracy and transparency. RTI Activist especially Mr. Anna Hazare took a very firm stand that not even a word of the RTI Act should be amended. The fear in the minds of the RTI Activists was well founded that in the garb of small amendments the RTI Act would be weakened." According to Mr. Aatmdeep, four provisions in the draught will have a negative impact on the Right to Information. He also stated that the provisions have rendered the distinction between Personal Data and Personal Information obsolete. He stated that he believes the goal of Data Protection can be met even after the elimination of four provisions. In terms of media, he stated that media and RTI go hand in hand. As it would affect Section 22 and Section 8(1)(j) of the Act, the Data Protection Bill has become a tool for reducing the encompassing effect of the Right to Information Act. He also stated that the definition of a "Person" under Data Protection Bill provision 12 has become an all-inclusive definition, which will impact media as well as an individual's right to information. It would have an impact on investigative reporting.

The bill was only uploaded to the web portal and was not distributed to the public via other means. The panel also stated that if the bill becomes law, it will be challenged in court. The panel also expressed their desire to work toward strengthening civil society and the people's voice in opposition to the proposed amendments and Bills in order to protect the right to information.