NEWS
Consultation on Researchers’ Access to Data from ‘Very Large Online Platforms’
The European Commission has launched a consultation on new rules for researchers to access data from large online platforms. The call for feedback on a ‘delegated regulation on data access provided for in the Digital Services Act’ comes as the Commission designated a number of companies and organisations as ‘Very Large Online Platforms’ and ‘Very Large Search Engines’, meaning they will be subject to specific regulations under the Act.
The Commission is seeking feedback on creating a framework that would allow vetted researchers to access data from these designated platforms with an aim to make them more transparent and accountable. Feedback can be submitted via
the Commission’s ‘Have Your Say’ website.
The Digital Services Act (DSA), which took force in November last year, has created a new set of requirements for platforms to try to reduce potential harm and risks online. Additionally, it is designed to provide a common set of rules across the EU, reducing uncertainty as to which rules apply in which Member State. The designated Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Search Engines, which include Google, Bing, Amazon, Wikipedia, and Zalando, among others, will have four months to comply with the obligations set by the DSA.
