As Digital Services Coordinator, the Agency also focuses on providing access to data for researchers and research organisations that are verified in accordance with the provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA). On this basis, it facilitates research aimed at identifying and understanding systemic risks and assessing the effectiveness of measures to mitigate them.
Single point of contact for vetted researchers
In accordance with Article 6 of the Delegated Act on Access to Data, the Agency, as coordinator of digital services, establishes a single point of contact for all applicants and verified researchers, as well as for data providers providing information and support in the data access process, in accordance with Article 40(4) of the DSA, as follows: info.box@akos-rs.si.
Who are verified researchers?
Verified researchers are individuals or organisations that meet certain conditions for accessing data from the major online platforms and search engines. The purpose of this access is to enable research that contributes to improving the regulation of digital services, protecting users and promoting trust in the digital space. More specifically, this research aims to detect, identify and understand systemic risks in the EU, and to assess the adequacy, effectiveness and impact of measures to mitigate risks.
Each vetted researcher must meet the following conditions:
- He/she is affiliated to a research organisation as defined in Article 2(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/790;
- be independent of commercial interests;
- his/her application discloses the funding of the research;
- it is able to comply with the specific data security and confidentiality requirements relevant to the specific request and to protect personal data, describing in its request the appropriate technical and organisational measures taken to this end;
- its application demonstrates that access to the data and the timeframes requested are necessary and proportionate for the purposes of the research and that the expected results of this research will contribute to the purposes referred to in Article 40(4) of Regulation 2022/2065;
- the research activities will be carried out for the purposes set out in Article 40(4) of Regulation 2022/2065;
- undertakes to make its research results publicly available, free of charge, within a reasonable period of time after the completion of the research, taking into account the rights and interests of the service recipients concerned, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
How do I become a verified researcher?
The Digital Service Coordinator in the country of the headquarters of the provider of Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines(VLOPs and VLOSEs) is responsible for issuing data access requests to verified researchers. The Agency, as the Slovenian Digital Service Coordinator, does not currently issue access requests as there are no registered providers of VLOPs and VLOSEs in Slovenia. However, the Agency is responsible for providing initial assessments of applications from researchers affiliated with Slovenian research organisations.
In any case, interested researchers must submit their application through the system Data Access Portal. The application will be considered according to the seat of the VLOP or VLOSE provider concerned and the seat of the research organisation. Upon receipt of an application from a researcher affiliated to a Slovenian research organisation, the Agency will carry out an initial assessment of the eligibility of the application in accordance with the Digital Services Act and will send the application, together with all supporting documents and the initial assessment, to the Digital Services Coordinator in the country of establishment of the VLOP or VLOSE provider to which the request relates.
For more information, please contact us via the contact point listed above.
A sample case with instructions:
A Slovenian research team is interested in the systemic risks in the protection of minors on an online platform based in Ireland.
- Each researcher in the team registers and logs in to the EU Login system. When submitting an application using the Data Access Portal, the team designates a PI (the one who will lead the research and submit the application in the portal) and all other members who will participate in the research. The Principal Investigator fills in a predefined template with all supporting documents and necessary information and submits the application in his/her profile.
- After successful submission, the Agency will receive the application and carry out an initial assessment. (If necessary, the Agency will contact you to obtain further information or to complete the application itself.)
- The Agency will then forward the full application to the Digital Services Coordinator in Ireland, as the online platform provider is based in Ireland.
- The coordinator in Ireland will grant the status of verified researcher to each researcher listed in the application for access to the data and will send the access request to the data provider, in this case the company in Ireland that is the provider of the online platform.
- The provider receives the request and grants access to the data without undue delay to the cleared researchers who are able to carry out the research project. (If the provider does not grant access despite a fully completed request, the principal investigator will be informed of the decision and the reasons for it. The latter, in cooperation with the coordinator in Ireland and the Agency, may complete the application or propose the use of mediation in accordance with Articles 12 and 13 of the Delegated Act on access to data).
How do I apply for the status of verified researcher?
As a registered and logged-in user, you can apply directly through Data Access Portal. Before submitting your application, please check in advance on the portal what information and supporting documents you need to attach to your application.
A complete overview of the required fields in the application itself, which consists of 5 steps, can be found here.