A Community Data Trustee for Sensitive Data Sharing in Far-Right Online Research

Abstract

Data sharing poses a major challenge for digital media and communication research, particularly in sensitive areas such as far-right online studies. This article introduces the innovative concept of a “community data trustee” (CDT), a research infrastructure aimed at fostering collaboration and the sharing of research data, such as digital account lists. Compiling these lists is a critical yet labor-intensive step in many research projects; sharing them could significantly reduce effort and improve data quality. However, especially in sensitive research areas, sharing remains rare due to legal uncertainties and limited incentives. This hinders the traceability and comparability of research findings and threatens overall research quality. To address these challenges, we introduce the CDT as a collective research infrastructure that promotes the shared use of extensive account lists. The CDT views actor directories as a communal asset, developed and utilized based on mutually agreed-upon guidelines. A principle of reciprocity underpins this model: Those who access the lists also contribute to their updates and expansions, returning them to the data pool. An online portal facilitates the exchange and collaborative maintenance of the data. The setup of the CDT includes appropriate technical measures to ensure compliance with data protection and security standards, along with a robust regulatory framework that creates a legally secure environment for sharing personal data. This approach aims to (a) incentivize data sharing, (b) foster trust and legal certainty among research projects, (c) enhance data quality through ongoing maintenance, and (d) enhance researcher safety.