Big Tech Accused of Obstructing European Researchers
TikTok, X, and Meta restrict data access under the DSA.
1Barriers Faced by Researchers
Major tech companies like TikTok, X, and Meta are making it difficult for European researchers to access social media data. Rejected applications, quotas, and expensive APIs are the main obstacles. This undermines the transparency intended by the Digital Services Act (DSA).
2DSA's Goals vs. Reality
The Digital Services Act (DSA) aimed to provide vetted researchers with access to platform data. Two years later, researchers struggle to meet security requirements and face narrow interpretations of 'systemic risk' by platforms. This makes data access practically challenging.
3The Importance of API Access
Without API access, researchers cannot study how platforms handle content recommendations or sensitive reports. Duncan Allen notes that TikTok's daily post limits make large-scale studies impossible, widening societal knowledge gaps about algorithmic processes.
4Security Hurdles
Platforms require data to be stored on offline infrastructure, a resource most universities lack. Adriana Iamnitchi highlights how this leads to rejected applications, stifling scientific research and transparency efforts under the DSA.
5Data Quality Concerns
L. K. Seiling points out that even approved researchers face unreliable data. API data is often irreproducible, making error-checking difficult. Iamnitchi emphasizes that reproducibility is a fundamental requirement for scientific validity.
6Researcher Motivation
DSA40 data shows 20 approvals out of 46 applications, with wide disparities across platforms. Seiling argues the current system disincentivizes researchers, failing to fully realize the DSA's potential for accountability and transparency.
Original article: Slashdot — Büyük Teknoloji Şirketleri Avrupa Araştırmacılarını Engelliyor