Transparency Center

Report March 2025

Submitted

Commitment 27

Relevant Signatories commit to provide vetted researchers with access to data necessary to undertake research on Disinformation by developing, funding, and cooperating with an independent, third-party body that can vet researchers and research proposals.

We signed up to the following measures of this commitment

Measure 27.1 Measure 27.2 Measure 27.3 Measure 27.4

In line with this commitment, did you deploy new implementation measures (e.g. changes to your terms of service, new tools, new policies, etc)?

Yes

If yes, list these implementation measures here

Microsoft was an active participant in the EDMO Working Group for the Creation of an Independent Intermediary Body to Support Research on Digital Platforms.

Do you plan to put further implementation measures in place in the next 6 months to substantially improve the maturity of the implementation of this commitment?

If yes, which further implementation measures do you plan to put in place in the next 6 months?

Not applicable

Measure 27.1

Relevant Signatories commit to work with other relevant organisations (European Commission, Civil Society, DPAs) to develop within a reasonable timeline the independent third-party body referred to in Commitment 27, taking into account, where appropriate, ongoing efforts such as the EDMO proposal for a Code of Conduct on Access to Platform Data.

QRE 27.1.1

Relevant Signatories will describe their engagement with the process outlined in Measure 27.1 with a detailed timeline of the process, the practical outcome and any impacts of this process when it comes to their partnerships, programs, or other forms of engagement with researchers.

Microsoft supports the development of an independent third-party body, in line with the Digital Services Act, and the upcoming associated Delegated Regulation on data access provided for in the Digital Services Act. Microsoft has also been a member of the Working Group for the Creation of an Independent Intermediary Body to Support Research on Digital Platforms. The Working Group started its work on 10 May 2023 under the coordination of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO). Its main task has been to develop an organizational model for a new independent intermediary body that will facilitate data sharing between digital platforms and independent, external researchers.