2.2 Conforming to the law
Mobile technology and communications have grown rapidly in some countries and at a slower pace in
others, and legal frameworks are still evolving. Only a few countries have addressed the legal parameters
for unsolicited communication and interaction with mobile device users. The regulatory dimension is
complicated by the multiple communication mediums that mobile devices provide. Further, there may be
national laws that pertain specifically to mobile users, e.g., restrictions on using mobile phones while
driving. Such regulations indirectly affect, and could potentially be construed as establishing legal liability
for a researcher contacting a potential research participant via a mobile device