Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT):

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT): The draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, state that appeals from the DPB's decisions will be filed in digital form before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and it must dispose of appeals within six months.

• Criticism: Concerns have been raised regarding the Union government’s discretion to appoint members to the Data Protection Board (DPB), which has quasi-judicial functions. This raises issues about the separation of powers and the independence of the DPB.
• About Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT): Established in 2000 by amending the TRAI Act of 1997.

o Set up to adjudicate disputes and handle appeals to protect the interests of service providers and consumers in the telecom sector while promoting its orderly growth.

• Composition: Consists of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government.
• Eligibility of Chairperson: Must be or have been a Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Powers: Exercises jurisdiction over matters related to Telecom, Broadcasting, IT, and Airport tariffs under: TRAI Act, 1997, Information Technology Act, 2008, and Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.
• Jurisdiction: Original and Appellate Jurisdiction over Telecom, Broadcasting, and Airport tariff matters and appellate Jurisdiction only for Cyber matters.