MRA Predicts Key Legal Issues for MR in 2009

Auto-dialling of cellphones and online behavioral tracking are among the key areas raising legislative and regulatory concern for the research profession in 2009, according to a new forecast by the US-based Marketing Research Association (MRA).

The MRA's Government Affairs team says the number one concern is the federal prohibition on calling cell phones with an auto dialer.

Consumer fears about online behavioral tracking and targeted advertising make online privacy another concern, particularly as state and federal governments are again looking to regulate and restrict the collection and sharing of even non-personally identifiable information on the Internet.

Providing research incentives to medical professionals is also under scrutiny; with attempts being made by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to gain influence with physicians through 'gifts' provoking interest in Congress and state legislatures.

Number four on the list is automated calls, IVR and 'robopolling', as the MRA says that legislation intended to protect consumers from unwanted automated calls often inadvertently circumscribes legitimate but automated survey calls.

The MRA also believes that public fears of 'push polls' will be a worry during the year. It plans to build on its success in passing a law in Louisiana which regulates calls that masquerade as polls while protecting legitimate research, by pursuing similar efforts in other states.

Finally, the MRA says that data security and data breach notification will be an issue, as forty-four US states already have requirements for data notification.

The Government Affairs team plans to keep close watch on these and other issues in the coming year.

Web site: www.mra-net.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.