IPIE Submission to the UK DSIT: Researchers’ Access to Information in the Data (Use and Access) Bill

This submission by the IPIE sets out recommendations for the UK Government’s amendment to the Online Safety Act via the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The purpose of this submission is to offer legislators guidance on the legislative text which will form the basis of the Secretary of State’s framework for implementation. Specifically, this submission concerns the proposed Article 125: “Information for research about online safety matters”, in the proposed Bill.

The IPIE’s recommendations are summarized as follows:

• Recommendation 1: The Secretary of State’s discretion to set out regulations on the conditions of researchers’ access to information should be changed to an obligation.
• Recommendation 2: The Data (Use and Access) Bill should ensure that different interests concerning access to information should be weighted holistically.
• Recommendation 3: The Data (Use and Access) Bill should ensure that researchers’ access to information is affordable and fairly distributed, practical, and timely, with platforms, websites, and online services in principle bearing the costs.
• Recommendation 4: The Data (Use and Access) Bill should clarify and bolster implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

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