"Data privacy laws and confidentiality in legal research: strategies and tools in India"

Abstract

This research paper examines the intersection of data privacy laws and the ethical imperative of confidentiality in legal research within the Indian context. With the advent of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA), alongside existing frameworks like the Information Technology Act, 2000, and sectoral regulations, legal researchers face a complex landscape. The study analyzes how these laws impact traditional legal research methodologies involving personal data, case studies, interviews, and public records. It identifies key challenges, including informed consent, data anonymization, secure storage, and cross-border data transfer issues. Furthermore, the paper evaluates contemporary strategies (privacy-by-design, ethical review boards) and technological tools (encryption, secure collaborative platforms, anonymization software) that can be employed to ensure compliance and uphold confidentiality. The research concludes with a framework for best practices, aiming to balance rigorous legal scholarship with robust data protection, thereby fostering trust and integrity in the Indian legal research ecosystem.