In its 2026 Foreign Trade Barriers report, the United States has once again highlighted India's Information Technology rules as significant trade barriers. The report, issued by the US Trade Representative (USTR), criticizes the rules for their 'impractical compliance deadlines and take-down protocols.' It points to an increase in content takedown requests that seem politically motivated. Additionally, the USTR condemns the Digital Protection & Data Privacy Rules, stating they impose 'burdensome requirements' on data fiduciaries and necessitate the disclosure of personal data to the government. The report emphasizes that these regulations hinder American trade and investment in India. Notably, this is the sixth consecutive year the USTR has raised concerns about India's personal data protection regime and its potential restrictions on cross-border data flows. The USTR also notes that the rules' lack of deemed consent for credit bureaus affects their operational capabilities in India. Key issues include a focus on over-compliance, obligations to identify sources of information, and the criminal liability of employees working for US tech firms.