Researchers in the EU face significant barriers accessing social media data under the Digital Services Act, impacting studies on systemic risks.
Researchers in Europe are encountering significant challenges in accessing data from major social media platforms, as mandated by the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). These challenges include refusals, technical restrictions, and complicated procedures, according to reports.
The DSA requires large online platforms to grant verified researchers access to data needed to investigate systemic risks such as misinformation and the impact of algorithms on elections. However, the implementation of this law has proven problematic.
One notable case involves Adriana Yamnitchi, a professor at Maastricht University, who sought to analyze political content on TikTok ahead of Romania's upcoming presidential elections. Her team's request for access to TikTok's research API was denied, with the platform citing insufficient proof of researcher status and other compliance issues.
Yamnitchi expressed concern that timely access to data could have enabled a better understanding of the dynamics surrounding political content and influencer marketing.
Access Limitations Across Platforms
Researchers have reported various obstacles to data access. For example, Meta replaced its CrowdTangle tool with the Meta Content Library, and X has made its API access a paid service. TikTok has also restricted the number of daily data requests researchers can make.
A TikTok representative noted that the company has provided access to over 1,500 research groups and approved numerous applications in the EU, although independent studies have highlighted significant limitations in the data available through their tools.
Concerns have been raised about the inability of current APIs to support comprehensive audits of systemic risks, as they may lead to data loss and lack of reproducibility in research findings.
Regulatory Response and Future Steps
The European Commission has begun to take action against platforms that hinder researchers' access to data. In December 2025, X was fined €120 million for creating barriers to public data access. Following this, the Commission accepted an action plan from X aimed at improving the application review process and ensuring researchers have free access to necessary data.
As of late 2025, new regulations require verified researchers to apply through a dedicated portal for access to non-public data related to systemic risks. However, many researchers still resort to scraping public data due to the difficulties in obtaining formal access.
The DSA40 Collaboratory initiative indicates that out of 46 applications for data access, only 20 were approved, with many researchers facing rejections. The challenges highlight a broader issue regarding the transparency and accountability of social media platforms.
In summary, while the DSA aims to enhance research into the effects of social media, its implementation has not met expectations, leaving researchers with limited access to critical data and raising concerns about the overall impact on societal understanding of these platforms.
