Submission to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Researchers’ Access to Information in the Data (Use and Access) Bill

The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) argues that the UK's Data (Use and Access) Bill must move from discretionary to obligatory language regarding researchers' access to platform data. The IPIE recommends that the Secretary of State be required to set regulations for data access, that platforms bear the costs of this access to ensure equity among researchers, and that enforcement mechanisms be strengthened to prevent platforms from using privacy concerns as a pretext to deny data. These measures are presented as essential for fulfilling the Online Safety Act's goal of making internet services safer for individuals in the United Kingdom.

• The IPIE recommends changing the language in Clause 125(2) of the Data (Use and Access) Bill from discretionary to obligatory, replacing the word "may" with "should" to ensure the Secretary of State is required to set regulations for researchers' access to information.
• The document argues that the cost of providing data access should be borne by the platforms, websites, and online services themselves to prevent financial barriers from hindering research and to ensure equality for researchers from institutions with less funding.
• The IPIE expresses concern that open-ended wording in the Bill could allow platforms to disproportionately restrict access by citing privacy concerns, and suggests that the balancing of interests must be conducted holistically.
• To ensure meaningful implementation, the IPIE recommends that the Bill include specific requirements for platforms to maintain easily accessible APIs and that enforcement provisions be amended to ensure sanctions are proportionate and timely.

APA

Glenster, A. K. (2025). Submission to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Researchers’ Access to Information in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. International Panel on the Information Environment. https://www.ipie.info/research/tp2025-1

Chicago

Glenster, Ann Kristin. Submission to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Researchers’ Access to Information in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. International Panel on the Information Environment, 2025. https://www.ipie.info/research/tp2025-1.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Glenster |first1=Ann Kristin |title=Submission to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Researchers’ Access to Information in the Data (Use and Access) Bill |publisher=International Panel on the Information Environment |date=2025 |url=https://www.ipie.info/research/tp2025-1 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{glenster2025submission, author = {Glenster, Ann Kristin}, title = {{Submission to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Researchers’ Access to Information in the Data (Use and Access) Bill}}, publisher = {International Panel on the Information Environment}, year = {2025}, url = {https://www.ipie.info/research/tp2025-1}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }