JOURNAL ARTICLE

Meta and TikTok are obstructing researchers' access to data, European Commission rules: Data are needed to study how social media spreads misinformation and influences elections, scientists say.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Kupferschmidt, Kai 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the challenges researchers face in accessing social media data under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) to study misinformation and its impact on elections. Despite the DSA's provisions for data access, researchers like Philipp Lorenz-Spreen have encountered significant obstacles, including denied requests and limited data availability from platforms such as X, TikTok, and Meta. The European Commission has preliminarily found TikTok and Meta in breach of their obligations under the DSA, highlighting the importance of data access for transparency and accountability in the digital landscape. As the DSA evolves, researchers hope to gain deeper insights into how social media algorithms influence public discourse. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/10, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:189013020
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