On October 8, 2026, the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition by Janta Live Press Network seeking restoration of a disabled Gmail account. The court ruled that Google’s email service is a commercial activity by a private entity and does not constitute a public function, rejecting the petitioners’ claim that Google had a public duty to restore access.
The petitioners said their Gmail account was unauthorizedly accessed on July 20, 2026, after which Google disabled it citing unusual activity. They requested Google to verify recovery credentials and restore access but received no response. The account owner also filed a complaint with the Cyber Police Station before approaching the court. Justice Amit Mahajan stated that providing email or hosting services does not make Google a public authority.
This ruling clarifies the legal position of private digital service providers in India, distinguishing commercial services from public functions. It limits the scope of writ jurisdiction against private tech companies, impacting future cases involving account suspensions or service denials. The judgment aligns with previous rulings that private platforms are not state actors despite their widespread use.
The court order, available on medianama.com, marks a significant precedent in digital rights and platform accountability. The next related legal developments will be closely watched by digital rights advocates and technology companies operating in India.