Researchers meet to discuss DSA access to publicly available platform data

The Digital Services Act (DSA) unlocks unprecedented access to platform data for researchers to study systemic risks in the EU. Very large online platforms and search engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs) are obliged to provide data access to researchers who fulfil certain requirements, and one type of access is to data publicly available on platform interfaces. 

To collect first-hand information on the potential of this type of access to shed light on systemic risks, ECAT and DG Connect are collaborating with a group of experts conducting research on topics such as the dissemination of illegal content, the protection of minors, negative effects in civic discourse and electoral processes, and phenomena related to gender-based violence.  

On 13  November, ECAT held a working meeting with the expert group. This group consists of the following experts: 

• Paul Bouchaud, CNRS, Sciences Po, Paris and AI Forensics, France
• Moa Eriksson Krutrök, Umeå University, Sweden
• Fabio Giglietto, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy
• Leonardo Madio, University of Padua, Italy
• Giada Marino, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy
• Martin Quinn, Erasmus Rotterdam University, The Netherlands
• Diana Ramírez Cifuentes, Independent Researcher, Spain
• Nicola Righetti, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy
• Savvas Zannettou, TU Delft, The Netherlands 

The expert group is expected to report on the outcomes of their research during 2026. 

To find out more about DSA data access mechanisms, please visit our FAQs page.