Did you know EU Asks Tech Giants For More Data Regarding Access Given To Researchers For Risk Studies
Plenty of tech giants have come under fire in the past for not giving
researchers access to their data for the sake of risk studies. And
keeping that in view, the EU is asking for more information on this
front by listing 17 leading platforms that are requested to report on the matter soon.
The
news comes as the DSA has come into play and that means giving
researchers access to data belonging to these companies is a fundamental
right that it feels cannot be denied under the transparency clauses of
the Act.
All studies are linked to highlighting and determining what sorts of systemic risks take place in the EU.
Moreover, a long list of big online apps was issued a notice by the EU
and they included the likes of Ali Express, Apple’s App Store, Amazon,
Google Play Store, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Google Maps,
Bing, Google Search, and a host of others.
They are being
requested to give more data on how they’re giving access without any
kind of delay involved. The goal right now is to make sure
accountability and scrutiny continue to take place as we speak. It’s
important to research more on this front, the regulatory body added,
especially considering how there are plenty of events set to take center
stage like the upcoming elections. So for effective monitoring, this is
needed as it would keep unlawful actions at bay and ensure only good
stems from these apps.
Those who were not included in this list include the likes of Wikipedia,
X Videos, X Corp, and even Pornhub. But that does not mean Musk’s X is
not under hot water. It’s already being scrutinized as we speak as a
part of a formal investigation on the matter that began in December of
last year.
Since top porn sites were only recently labeled as
VLOPs, their role in research is less and therefore they will be less
scrutinized for access by researchers. So far, 23 VLOPs have been
identified in the Commission right now.
As far as which company
is actually getting things right, it’s Wikipedia that has been giving
researchers all the data they need with ease for the sake of risk
studies. This might have to do with the fact that it’s not-for-profit
while the rest are. So their edits are subject to change and open for
all as a default setting.
The others are just less likely to be
questioned by external sources about how they make money and that could
impact the way people view them in society. Under this new DSA, topics
that many studies would be diving deep into include child safety,
disinformation, mental health, and violence related to gender.
Regulators
feel that this is the right first step forward to put pressure on
companies. It’s time to get better answers than what has been on display
so far. A deadline for the first week of February was provided to
fulfill the request for data by the EU. After getting those results, the
Commission would go on to take the next leading steps, it added.
As
a part of the reminder so far, we may soon see offending apps face
bigger penalties of nearly 6% annual turnover. It could also take
stringent action against those making the offenses again and again.
Past
reports prove how RFIs were rolled out by the EU to focus on a leading
number of areas including the likes of disinformation risks linked to it
like the ongoing conflict taking place in the Hamas and Israel war in
the Gaza Strip and the upcoming elections too.
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