MRSI endorses SC’s verdict on ‘Right to Privacy’

The Market Research Society of India (MRSI), a unique non-profit autonomous market research industry association, fully supports the recent SC judgment on ‘Right to Privacy’ as a fundamental right.

MRSI members self regulate themselves and have a voluntary code of conduct which ensures complete protection of information and safeguarding of personally identifiable data that is captured during Market Research Surveys. This includes the traditional methods of hard copy forms, online, mobile/tablet based surveys, as well as data obtained from third parties such as social media and other sources. 

Supporting this verdict, Mr. Pravin Shekar, President, MRSI said, “Privacy is a fundamental right of the respondents for Market Research surveys, and our code has been in place for nearly 30 years. Our researchers ensure that data sets or other materials (photographs, recordings, paper documents, etc.) collected for market research that contain personally identifiable information are kept securely and are only used for market research purposes. With new age digital technologies, it is both an advantage as well as a challenge to keep all user data private and confidential.

MRSI also endorses the ICC/ESOMAR International Code for Market, Social and Opinion Research Data Analyics, a global Code of Conduct renewed in 2017 to account for new global regulatory developments protecting personal data cross the world, including, notably the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and its specific clauses governing statistical and scientific research. The ICC/ESOMAR International Code is adopted and endorsed by 42 associations worldwide. 

"MRSI's endorsement is an important indication of the commitment that respectable Indian market, social and opinion research and data analytics firms place on respecting the core values clarified by the Indian Supreme Court. We are confident that the market will continue to reflect these high professional standards," said Kim Smouter, Head of Public Affairs and Professional Standards at ESOMAR. 

Recognizing the verdict as a progressive judgment, Sandeep Saxena, Director General, MRSI stated, “In today’s connected world, personal data privacy is of supreme concern and misuse of personal data for frauds or solicitation is growing. This judgment in our view will lay the foundation of data protection laws in India. MRSI has access to considerable global experience in consulting with legislature on data protection laws, and we would be happy to bring the experience on the table in India”.