By sharing your data and participating in our research, you can help Australian researchers study these platforms and the way our everyday interactions with them impact on our lives. Your contribution helps us better understand how algorithms work, which kinds of advertisements target Australians, and how social media affects our society.
Digital platforms shape how we communicate, find information, and view the world. This includes a variety of businesses that range from social media like Facebook and TikTok; digital streaming like Netflix and Spotify; AI-powered chat interfaces like ChatGPT; and services like Uber, Doordash, and AirBnB. Digital platforms use hidden algorithms to recommend videos and songs, provide information, and determine prices for goods and services.
The benefits of data donation extend to both researchers and participants. By participating in data donation research, you can also learn more about your digital footprint.
Here are the things you need to know about participating in data donation, what happens to your data, and how it is all managed.
Data Donation: What’s Involved?
Data donation involves a few simple, voluntary steps. The AIO facilitates two kinds of data donation: data download packages and observed data packages. You can learn more about each kind in the next section of the page.
If you choose to participate in a data donation study, you will first receive information about what will be collected and why. You are then invited to share specific digital data relevant to the research study by accessing an AIO tool. You choose what data you are comfortable sharing before securely sending it to researchers using AIO tools. Personal details are carefully protected through privacy and security measures
There are two types of data collection methods:
1. Data Download Packages (DDPs)
Data download packages are personal data archives that some digital platforms make available to their users. For example, digital platforms like Facebook allow users to download their posts and information associated with their account. Uber allows users to download their ride and order history, payment information, and profile information.
If you join a study with the AIO using DDPs, the process involves the following steps:
- Sign up and consent. During the process, you will read a briefing about the project you are a part of, what data researchers are specifically looking for, and why it matters/what it is important.
- Request. You are provided with step-by-step instructions on how to request your data directly from the platform (Meta, Google, TikTok, X, etc.) You then wait for the data to land in your account – this can take from just a few minutes to a few days, depending on the platform and how much information you request.
- Upload. Once the platform has notified you that your data is ready, it emails you a link to your profile where you can download the file. Usually, the file is a regular ZIP archive. This file is then uploaded to our system for processing as per the instructions. Once you upload it, it will be processed in your browser – the file has not left your computer yet, so at this point, everything is done locally.
- Review. Before anything is sent to the researchers, the system presents the data and allows you to review each category of what you are donating. Some fields will be pre-selected for you, but if there is anything you do not want to share, you can still notify your researcher or uncheck the box before you proceed.
- Donate. Once you have checked the data and confirmed your donation by clicking the submit button, it will be transferred to the research team. Everything else is discarded and never leaves your device.
Screen Capture
Alternatively, you can share your data using Observed Data Packages (ODP). Data donation using this method involves installing an application (phone app or browser extension) that will collect data as you use the device. It will also give you the option to review and withhold data before sharing your ODP with researchers. For more information on this method, go here.
If you join a study with the AIO using ODPs, the process involves the following steps:
- Sign up and consent. During the process, you will read a briefing about the project you are a part of, what data researchers are specifically looking for, and why it matters/what it is important.
- You will be provided with step-by-step instructions on how to download the application and install it.
- While using the application you will be given the option to start and stop data collection, as well as to review the data you’ve collected. If there is anything you do not want to share, you can withdraw that data before it is uploaded.
- Once you have checked the data, it will be transferred to the research team. Everything else is discarded and never leaves your device.
Keeping your data safe
We know that social media data is highly personal, and protecting it should be the AIO’s and researchers’ highest priority. We operate within ethical frameworks and ensure that our researchers have Human Research Ethics Committee approvals from their institutions before commencing their projects. As part of the government-funded initiative and national research infrastructure, we utilise secure, carefully designed, Australia-based solutions to manage all of this.
- Data Minimisation. Researchers ask for the data they need for their project and not beyond. Apps and browser extensions only collect the data needed. The system automatically filters out irrelevant data both on your device and during the upload process.
- Participant Consent. You can review your data before sending it to the researcher, and you have the final say on which data you would like to keep private.
- Research ethics. We operate within ethical frameworks and ensure that our researchers have Human Research Ethics Committee approvals from their institutions before commencing their projects. As part of the government-funded initiative and national research infrastructure, we utilise secure, carefully designed, Australia-based solutions to manage all of this.
- Australian-Hosted Infrastructure. Your donated data is stored in the AIO Platform, which is a secure environment hosted on Australian servers and enabled by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). It uses access controls, encryption, and other means to ensure that only approved researchers affiliated with institutions can access it.
- The Right to Withdraw. The entire data donation process is voluntary. If you change your mind after donating, we can withdraw your data from the study and securely destroy it.
- De-identification. Personal information like name, email address, phone numbers, and usernames are not associated with your donation.
