Today, the Delegated Act on Data Access, adopted under the Digital Services Act, has entered into force. The document establishes the legal framework through which qualified researchers will be able to apply for access to non-publicly accessible data from Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Search Engines, for studying systemic risks in the online environment.
The new rules are an essential step towards strengthening a safe, predictable, and trusted online environment, enabling an independent scrutiny of phenomena such as the exposure of minors to harmful content, the spread of disinformation, online financial scams or risks to users’ mental health.
The researchers will be able to submit the data access application via the DSA data access portal. The applications will have to rigorously define the necessary data, processing methodology and safeguards for data protection and users’ rights, as well as the respect for the businesses’ legitimate interests. These unprecedented rules are an essential enabler for independent scrutiny, through research of risks associated to online services that shape our daily lives.
ANCOM’s role in the application of the new rules
A significant role lies with the Digital Services Coordinator in the country of establishment, who makes the decision on whether or not to grant access. ANCOM, as Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) for Romania, can support the process envisaged by the Delegated Act in the case of registered access requests, all of which are subsequently forwarded to the Digital Services Coordinator in the country of establishment.
This process marks the operationalisation of Europe’s first data access mechanism dedicated to independent research on the risks associated with the online environment. More details about the mechanism of access by researchers to VLOPSEs data are available in the dedicated section on the ANCOM website.
Context
The Delegated Act on Data Access is the first instrument built on the basis of the provisions of the Digital Services Act, which opens up regulated access to non-publicly accessible data of Very Large Online Platforms. The mechanism aims to increase transparency, enable public monitoring and facilitate the early identification of online risks. ANCOM, as Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) for Romania, will contribute to the implementation of the Delegated Act on Data Access, ensuring the coherent and secure application of this mechanism at national and European level.