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It is time to ensure research access to platform data

Nature Human Behaviour volume 9, pages 1–2 (2025)Cite this article

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Users of online platforms, such as social media apps, streaming providers and search engines, are often willing to share their data with researchers, which opens vital avenues for academic research. However, this process is challenging, as many platforms fail to comply with privacy acts and data protection authorities do not adequately enforce them. Platforms and authorities must take action to change this or risk obstructing crucial scientific progress.

Although online platforms offer many benefits (such as access to information, diverse perspectives and social connections), they also pose considerable dangers. The European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have identified multiple risks, which include spreading misinformation, monetizing harmful content and creating ‘rabbit holes’. Together, these risks can increase mental health problems, polarization, radicalization and societal fragmentation.

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Fig. 1: Common problems in platform data donations experienced by researchers.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all supporting authors who participated in the Data Donation Symposium held in Amsterdam on 30 and 31 May 2024, and who contributed to the report on the basis of their experiences with data downloads.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Patti M. Valkenburg, Amber van der Wal, Teun Siebers, Ine Beyens & Theo Araujo

  2. Department of Methodology and Statistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands

    Laura Boeschoten

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  1. Patti M. Valkenburg
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  2. Amber van der Wal
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  3. Teun Siebers
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Correspondence to Patti M. Valkenburg.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Valkenburg, P.M., van der Wal, A., Siebers, T. et al. It is time to ensure research access to platform data. Nat Hum Behav 9, 1–2 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02066-5

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