With the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) and the subsequent establishment of the Data Protection Board, potential clashes between competition and data issues may arise between the Board and the Competition Commission of India (CCI). This regulatory overlap may extend beyond jurisdictional matters and could lead to unique conflicts, where the pursuit of data protection might conflict with promoting competition in data-driven market. The paper offers an overview of past regulatory battles in India and the mechanisms employed to resolve turf battles. Given the absence of coherent mechanisms in the past, it emphasises the need for an effective framework focused on coordination and cooperation between regulators to address conflicts. By outlining this framework, the paper underscores the importance of striking a balance between competition and data protection considerations to achieve an optimal outcome that fosters competitive markets while safeguarding user privacy.
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