The case for open data access to aid tech regulation

The debate surrounding TikTok’s potential ban in the United States is largely driven by national security and privacy concerns rather than empirical evidence. This lack of rigorous data leads to speculative policymaking, highlighting a critical gap in open data practices where public interest suffers due to insufficient research into how platforms influence information diets and mental health. Current avenues for researchers to access TikTok data—such as the platform’s API, user data takeouts, and web scraping—are fundamentally flawed. These methods restrict sample sizes, lack transparency, and impose logistical burdens that prevent the large-scale, longitudinal studies necessary to answer pressing political questions. Consequently, the inability to conduct independent, open scientific inquiry undermines the development of evidence-based legislation. This article is vital to the open data movement because it exposes how proprietary platform restrictions stifle public accountability. By advocating for mandated data access for independent researchers, the authors argue that true transparency requires breaking down digital silos. Open, standardized access to platform data is essential for allowing policymakers to move beyond fears and address social media’s real societal impacts with factual, replicable evidence.

Source: brookings.edu
Published on 2024-12-17

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