As digital services become increasingly integrated in our everyday life, independent and data-driven research is crucial to build a sound and objective understanding of how these operate and impact our societies. Thanks to the DSA and its delegated act, researchers have a route to access platforms’ data, the key ingredient needed for research on systemic risks and societal impacts. This framework enshrines the right to academic freedom as protected under Charter of Fundamental Rights, while putting in place robust safeguards to prevent misuse.
Discussions during the roundtable centred on the new mechanism, with a particular focus on the submission of Vetted Researcher Status Application by interested researchers. The DSCs provided an update on the implementation of the vetting mechanism.
As of 19 May 2026, DSCs have received 49 applications for assessment, primarily requesting data from social media platforms and focusing on risks such as the spread of illegal content, advertising transparency, and AI features. These applications are now being assessed by the DSCs. To support researchers in their applications and to navigate the process, the DSCs are working together on guidance documents, which are or will soon become available on their websites.
VLOPs and VLOSEs also shared updates on their ongoing work related to the management of the data access requests and to compliance with other aspects of the provision, for example making available data catalogues. The Commission, DSCs, VLOPs and VLOSEs affirmed their commitment and willingness to cooperate to ensure smooth fulfilment of obligations related to data access for vetted researchers under the DSA.
While DSCs play a crucial role in implementing the vetting mechanism and in assessing individual applications, ultimate responsibility for enforcing the vetted access mechanism under the DSA remains with the Commission. The Commission will therefore closely monitor VLOPs’ and VLOSEs’ compliance with their obligation to provide vetted researchers with access to data, just as it has enforced the obligation to provide public data for research. In this context, the Commission has already opened several proceedings, accepted commitments from AliExpress, and issued the first non-compliance decision and fine to X.