Tracker Insights
last updated: 8. September 2026
Decision Overview
Thus far, 70 complete applications have been registered through our tracker.
We know that 51 have been decided by the platforms.
Out of the decided applications, 24 have been accepted and 27 rejected.
We can introduce more nuance by differentiating our data by platforms: applications to Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X.com, and Bing have been shared with us, with X.com and TikTok making up the majority of our dataset.
| Platform | Data Requested | Status | # |
|---|---|---|---|
| X.com | public data | open | 6 |
| rejected | 20 | ||
| accepted | 5 | ||
| non-public data | rejected | 2 | |
| TikTok | public data | open | 2 |
| rejected | 1 | ||
| accepted | 13 | ||
| non-public data | open | 1 | |
| public data | open | 1 | |
| rejected | 1 | ||
| accepted | 2 | ||
| non-public data | open | 2 | |
| rejected | 1 | ||
| YouTube | public data | accepted | 4 |
| public data | rejected | 1 | |
| Snapchat | non-public data | rejected | 1 |
| Amazon Store | public data | open | 1 |
| AliExpress | public data | open | 1 |
| Bing | non-public data | open | 1 |
| Shein | public data | open | 1 |
| Temu | public data | open | 1 |
Below you can see the distribution of time between application and decision for X.com and TikTok. The mean time differences are shown below.
TikTok
all decisions
33.14 days
time to reject
81 days
time to accept
29.5 days
X.com
all decisions
63.32 days
time to reject
50.1 days
time to accept
116.2 days
We only report these statistics in detail for TikTok and X because these platforms are the only ones for which we have a sufficient amount of data points.
Based on the four applications, we tracked regarding YouTube, an application for public data access takes on average 88.5 days (min. 3, max. 315) to be completed.
Also, based on three tracked applications to Facebook, an application for public data access takes on average 138 days (min. 68, max. 211) to be completed.
Reasons for Rejection
"Based on your application, it does not appear that your proposed use of data is solely for performing research that contributes to the detection, identification and understanding of systemic risks in the EU as described by Art. 34 of the Digital Services Act."
The above statement, failure to limit the research to the purpose limitation set out in Art. 40, is the most common reason for rejection we find in for the applications in our dataset (n=5). We also find that applications are rejected because they do not meet the necessity and proprtionality requirements (n=2).
Two other application were denied because of incompleteness (n=1) and because the access request deviated from the application (n=1).
During early implementation, we also found applications being rejected based on invalid reasons , namely that researchers must be affiliated with a university (n=1) or located inside the European Union (n=2).
Application Insights
The applications we received thus far cover a range of topics.
Methods
The most popular methods, mentioned by 5 applications, are (not closer specified) machine learning approaches and network analysis. Four applications also reference Natural Language Processing (NLP, including topic modelling or sentiment analysis). Content analysis is mentioned by three applications. Three more applications also plan to combine survey and interview data with the data received through data access. Two applications mention deep learning-based approaches for multi-modal analysis.
Risks
Since data access is only granted for “research that contributes to the detection, identification and understanding of systemic risks in the Union” many applications mention the risks specified in Art. 34(1) DSA,:
- Dissemination of Illegal Content (n=5)
- Negative Effects on Fundamental Rights (n=7)
- Negative Effects on Civic Discourse, Electoral Process & Public Security (n=11)
- Negative Effects on Gender-Based Violence, Public Health, Minors & Well-being (=8)
However, only 12 out of 27 entries that provided their application text made specific reference to Art. 34.