Claes de Vreese contributes to EDMO report on researcher access to platform data

The Report of the European Digital Media Observatory’s Working Group on Platform-to-Researcher Data Access includes a draft Code of Conduct on how platforms can share data with independent researchers while protecting users’ rights.

Prof. dr. Claes de Vreese is one of the members of the working group of representatives from academia, civil society, and technology companies. In 2021, they were tasked to draft a Code of Conduct on access to platform data under Article 40 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Access to data from major digital media platforms such as Meta, Twitter and Google will allow independent researchers to provide better understanding to the public about online disinformation and other phenomena that impact platform users and societies.

The new report clarifies how platforms may provide access to data to independent researchers in a GDPR-compliant manner.

On 13 June 2022, the working group will present the report to the cabinet of European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová during EDMO’s annual conference.

In the coming weeks, the draft Code of Conduct will be refined through further consultation and approved by relevant data protection authorities as an effective tool to support safe, legal sharing of data for independent research purposes.