At a time of growing concern regarding platform power, what kinds of claims can we make to access platform data? How can we ensure that the digital world can be independently knowable and interrogated and that this ability is equitably distributed? If we allow access, how do we protect privacy and confidentiality? How do these questions fit within a broader set of concerns regarding the social and democratic value of data, data colonialism, data justice, and epistemic justice?
Many jurisdictions are starting to address the issue of access to platform data. For example, the EUs Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes obligations on very large online platforms and very large online search engines to share data with researchers and regulators. The proposed US Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA) and Canadas proposed Online Harms Act would also require access for researchers.
This workshop, cohosted by the Berkman Klein Centers Institute for Rebooting Social Media and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) at the University of Toronto, brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners to discuss these initiatives and place them within a broader critical context.
SESSION 1: Data Access and Social Media Research
Is the DSA’s focus on data access enough? How might the right to information need to evolve in order to ensure that the digital world can be independently knowable and interrogated and that this ability is equitably distributed?
- Lisa Austin* (University of Toronto, Schwartz Reisman Institute; Institute for Rebooting Social Media)
- Swati Srivastava (Purdue University; Institute for Rebooting Social Media)
- Gabriel Nicholas (Center for Democracy & Technology; New York University)
- Jeff Hall (University of Kansas; Institute for Rebooting Social Media)
SESSION 2: Implementation Challenges
There are many implementation challenges, such as safeguarding privacy and protecting confidential commercial information. Some of these require policy responses and others require technological solutions. How can these challenges be addressed in a manner that ensures independent and equitable access?
- David Lie* (University of Toronto, Schwartz Reisman Institute)
- Delara Derakhshani (Data Transfer Initiative)
- Becca Ricks (Mozilla Foundation)
- Hilary Ross (Global Network Initiative)
SESSION 3: Justice and the Right to Information
How does the right to information in the private sector fit within broader sets of concerns regarding the social and democratic value of data, data colonialism, data justice, and epistemic justice? Do these broader concerns help us understand what is at stake or the potential scope of the right?
- Elettra Bietti* (Northeastern University School of Law)
- Ulises Mejias (SUNY Oswego)
- Aziz Huq (University of Chicago Law School)
