[EL] Legislation to Force Large Internet Companies to Share Data with Independent Researchers

[Nate Persily]

Colleagues,

I have written the attached bill, titled the Platform Transparency and
Accountability Act.  It would set up an FTC-administered system for secure
sharing of data from the large internet companies with
independent researchers.  It would compel companies like Google and
Facebook to develop secure facilities for the sharing of privacy-protected
data, and would require them to give access to vetted researchers and
research projects.  This is only a framework and still needs some
refinement but eager to get any thoughts people may have.  Given the
scandals enveloping Facebook after the whistleblower, Frances Gaugen,
disclosed the internal research to the Wall Street Journal, and now 60
Minutes and Congress,  I think a policy window may finally be open to
tackle the problem of platforms' data monopolies with the ambition it
deserves.  I also think that unlike many other forms of internet regulation
(e.g., reform of Section 230) that both parties can get behind measures to
force the companies to disclose what the hell is going on on their
platforms.

I wrote a short white paper last spring describing this proposal here
<https://fsi-live.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/cpc-open_windows_np_v3.pdf>,
but now the actual bill is available, attached.

Best,
Nate

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Nate Persily

James B. McClatchy Professor of Law
Stanford Law School
559 Nathan Abbott Way
Stanford, CA 94305-8610
(917) 570-3223
npersily at stanford.edu

www.persily.com

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