Aligning dispute: Researchers are calling for an insight into X data!

Aligning dispute: Researchers are calling for an insight into X data!

In the district court of Berlin II, there is currently a dispute about the provision of data from the short messages of the short messages X for research institutions. The non -governmental organization Democracy Reporting International (DRI) has filed a lawsuit, supported by the Society for Freedom Rights (GFF). The aim of this lawsuit is that X provides publicly available data in order to examine the possible influence of the German Bundestag election. The responsible judge Roland Kapps has not yet made a judgment in the trial, but indicated that an interim order against X is not confirmed for formal reasons, since the plaintiffs became active too late. This could delay the lawsuit for an uncertain time, while X argues that the company can only be sued in Ireland where the European branch is located.

The GFF described it as a "huge success" that research institutions can sue in its member state. The lawsuit is based on the Digital Services Act (DSA), which prescribes large platforms such as X to grant researchers access to publicly available data. The required data includes statistics on likes, shareh actions and the reach of contributions.

legal basis for data access

The legal framework for such data access is anchored in the digital services Act. Article 40 of the DSA ensures that "approved" researchers and research institutions that are not profit -oriented are given access to data. This applies in particular to institutions such as universities or research clinics. However, access is only granted if the researchers are independent of commercial interests and the financing is disclosed. You must also ensure that data protection and confidentiality requirements are preserved.

The need for access to this data is underlined by the challenges that social media with regard to the spread of false information and hate messages. According to a policy paper, which was written by around 70 scientists, it is crucial that research receives high -quality data in order to develop strategies against these systemic risks. The wheat tree institute for networked society and other partners support this initiative in order to strengthen the legal framework for independent research.

implications and next steps

With the lawsuit and the framework conditions of the DSA, the discussions about data access for research on driving are recorded. The platforms are obliged to respond to inquiries within 15 days and must take legitimate interests of the provider and the data processing of third parties into account. The researchers can legally act against illegally rejected applications, which strengthens the enforcement of their claims.

The Policy Paper, which was developed by scientists and institutions, gives a comprehensive overview of the necessary steps to implement the DSA into national law. In the long term, this initiative could lead to the data quality in research improving and a more transparent examination of the effects of social media on our society is created.