Seeing the Digital Sphere: The Case for Public Platform Data
Tech Policy Press and the Knight-Georgetown Institute present a series exploring the importance of public platform data access in today's digital landscape.
Why Public Platform Data Matters
Can we truly understand the risks children face online? Or how brands engage with their audiences? How politicians communicate in digital spaces? These questions—and many others—require accessible public platform data for answers.
Online platforms influence what information we receive, how we interact, and whose voices are amplified. They have become essential infrastructure for civic life across areas such as elections, health, commerce, and conflict.
The Challenge of Access
Despite the critical role of public platform data, researchers and journalists encounter growing obstacles accessing what is publicly available. The series investigates:
- Why public platform data is essential for understanding current societal dynamics
- Reasons behind increased barriers to data access
- Ways to promote reliable data access that serves the public interest
From the online statements of national leaders to viral content shared by influencers, data on public platforms shape our discourse.
This series aims to deepen understanding of public platform data's role and advocate for improved access to it.
Author's Summary: Accessible public platform data is crucial for transparency, research, and democracy, yet barriers hinder those seeking to study this vital digital infrastructure.