For independent research: Taming Musk and Co.
November 2024: The EU Commission announces that it will develop new guidelines for access to platform data. This addresses a key aspect of our petition’s demands, supported by 4.038 signatories: researchers and civil society should be given access to platform data. This will enable important investigations and analyses – for example, on how right-wing extremists spread hate and disinformation unhindered on X and other platforms.
However, many users are barely able to claim their rights, such as access to data – at least not under reasonable conditions. This was shown by our lawsuit against X with Travis Brown. The analyst must have the claim to unblock his account clarified in court in Ireland.
For many other users who wish to take legal action against a platform, the question also arises as to whether they can only do so at the registered office of the platform in question. This entails enormous hurdles: high costs, language barriers and time-consuming procedures.
We therefore appeal directly to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: make sure that users can sue social media platforms at their place of residence. This is the only way for users like Travis Brown to effectively enforce their rights.
First signatories
- Imran Ahmed, Founder & CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate
- Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament
- Chan-jo Jun, Lawyer
- Sarah Mohamed, deputy chairwomen of Jusos
- Prof. Dr. Volker Quaschning, Expert for renewable energies, energy transition, climate protection
- Prof. Dr. Janina Steinert, Technical University of Munich
- Julia Wandt, Co-Initiatior of Scicomm-Support and University of Freiburg
- Marina Weisband, Psychologist and author
- Lena Altman, CO-CEO Alfred Landecker Foundation
- Silke Mülherr, CO-CEO Alfred Landecker Foundation
- ISD Germany
- Jana Faus and Rainer Faus, Managing Partners of Pollytix
- Sylvia Bühler, Member of the ver.di Federal Executive Board and Head of the Health, Social Services, Education and Science Department
- Christoph Schmitz, Member of the ver.di Federal Executive Board and Head of the Department of Financial Services, Communication and Technology, Culture, Supply and Waste Management
#FreeTravisFreeResearch
Travis Brown is one of many researchers studying how social media platforms operate. Now, the data analyst is facing a permanent ban from X (formerly Twitter). The reason: Elon Musk wants to prevent by all means that we get insights into the engine room of his platform. Because that’s where frightening things are happening: right-wing radicals, antisemites and misanthropes are spreading hatred, disinformation, and manipulating elections without hindrance. Travis has uncovered all of this with his research for the BBC, CNN, and other media.
Getting kicked off the platform is nothing new for Travis. He has successfully defended himself time and again, also with our help. But this time it’s different. He’s receiving mile-long letters from Musk’s expensive lawyers. Travis is being intimidated. A lawsuit like this could lead to his financial ruin.
Lawsuits against researchers and civil society organisations are a popular intimidation tactic used by social media platforms. The threats are having an impact. Only a few still dare to publicly expose misconduct on the platforms.
In fact, we have European laws designed to protect researchers. They are just not being properly enforced. That’s why Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission, must take action now. She must ensure that Musk, Zuckerberg and others comply with our laws. Through the EU’s new digital law, the Digital Services Act, she is securing researchers’ access to data from social media platforms. Sign our petition for the freedom of researchers now!
We call on the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen:
- Exercise oversight: Ensure that platforms no longer arbitrarily block disagreeable accounts and content.
- Clear rules for access to data: Create clarity on how researchers and civil society organisations can access real-time data.
- Fast implementation: Push for all EU member states to implement the Digital Services Coordinators as soon as possible. Only then will we be able to effectively claim our rights.