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 provider's headquarters is responsible for issuing data access requests to verified researchers.
As there are currently no registered providers of very large online platforms and very large online search engines in Slovenia, the Agency as coordinator is not in a position to issue data access requests to verified researchers.
Nevertheless, interested researchers can also submit an application to the Digital Service Coordinator in the Member State of the research organisation with which they are affiliated, including in Slovenia. If the Agency receives an application from a Slovenian research organisation, it will carry out an initial assessment of eligibility in accordance with the Digital Services Act and send the application, together with all supporting documents and the initial assessment, to the Digital Services Coordinator in the country of establishment of the provider to which the request relates. The latter will then decide without undue delay whether to grant the researcher the status of verified researcher.
For more information, please contact us via the contact point listed above.