Elon Musk’s Data Restrictions on X Platform Impact Over 100 Research Studies

Over 100 Data Studies on the X Platform (Formerly Twitter) Encounter Obstacles Due to Elon Musk’s Measures Restricting Access to the Social Media Network, According to a Reuters Report.

Researchers have voiced concerns that Musk’s limitations on data collection methods on this global platform have impeded their capacity to trace the origins of false information and its real-time dissemination, notably during events like Hamas’ assault on Israel and Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Twitter’s decision to terminate free academic access to data through the Application Programming Interface (API) in February last year, as part of a comprehensive tool overhaul, is recognized as one of the most impactful decisions affecting researchers, as reported by Reuters.

A survey commissioned by Reuters in September last year and conducted by the Independent Technology Research Alliance included 167 academics and researchers from civil society for the first time. The survey unveiled the number of studies canceled due to Musk’s policies.

The survey also highlighted that the majority of participants are concerned about potential legal action from the X platform due to their findings or data utilization.

These concerns come on the heels of a lawsuit filed by X in July last year against the Center for Countering Digital Hatred (CCDH), after it published reports critical of the platform’s content moderation.

The survey disclosed the cancellation of 30 projects, the cessation of 47 projects, and the modification of 27 projects on the platforms being investigated. It also revealed that 47 projects are still conducting research on X, even though some researchers indicated that their ability to collect new data will be restricted.

The affected studies encompass research on hate speech and topics that have undergone global regulatory scrutiny. One example was a suspended project aimed at studying the safety of children on the X platform. The platform was recently fined by an Australian regulatory body for failing to cooperate with an investigation into child exploitation practices.

The researcher leading the suspended project, along with many others who responded to the Reuters survey, requested anonymity, with one survey participant explaining that researchers conceal their identities to avoid potential retaliation from X and to safeguard their ongoing research.

The survey found that EU regulators are presently investigating X’s handling of misleading or false information, a focal point of many independent research studies that were halted or canceled.

Josephine Luceto, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, warned that the reduced ability to study the platform would make X users more vulnerable to hate speech and misleading information.

The ongoing EU investigation into how X deals with misleading information underscores the possible regulatory repercussions for the San Francisco-based company, as it operates under new, stringent internet regulations implemented in August. These regulations entail penalties that could cost the platform up to 6% of its global revenue.

A spokesperson for the European Union Commission confirmed that they are currently monitoring X’s compliance, along with other major platforms. This includes granting researchers who meet specific criteria access to publicly available data.

Before Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion, a significant proportion of social media studies were linked to Twitter, given the platform’s value as a source of political and current events information. Four researchers informed Reuters that accessing data on the platform was straightforward.

However, since Musk took the helm at Twitter, he initiated cost-cutting measures and staff layoffs, including those working on research tools.

A spokesperson for Sprinklr, an official X partner, declined to verify the numbers stated in the July report, asserting that “any recent external reports prepared by X were conducted without the participation of Sprinklr,” as reported.

Presently, X offers three paid options through the Application Programming Interface, with monthly prices ranging from $100 to $42,000, offering fewer data options than were previously available to researchers free of charge. All the researchers interviewed by Reuters indicated that these costs were beyond their means.

The Reuters report highlighted a former employee, who chose to remain anonymous, claiming that the decision to discontinue free academic access to the Application Programming Interface was driven by an urgent need to focus on revenue growth and cost reduction following Musk’s acquisition of the Twitter platform.

The majority of survey participants pointed to the Application Programming Interface changes as the primary reason behind the cancellation or suspension of their projects.

Luceto warned that this decision’s consequences, as we approach 2024 – a major global election year, mean that users will face significant hurdles in accessing information.

Tim Weninger, an engineering professor at the University of Notre Dame, explained that his team was operating blindly while attempting to monitor information related to China without access to the costly Application Programming Interface.

Numerous researchers are now left with limited options for studying X, resorting to manual analysis of posts.

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November 8, 2023

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Elon Musk’s Data Restrictions on X Platform Impact Over 100 Research Studies

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