Data Protection Information Note

CNRS ISC PIF

Data protection information note in the context of scientific research Open Portability Project

Social networks and in particular Twitter (now X) have from the beginning constituted privileged research objects, particularly in the field of computational social sciences.

A historical transition is underway in the landscape of social networks. The centralized model, embodied by X (formerly Twitter), is experiencing a massive exodus of users to alternative platforms such as BlueSky and Mastodon. Several million accounts migrated in a few weeks, marking a major shift towards decentralized and open networks.

This transition is a major social, economic and technological phenomenon which, perhaps, will transform the global digital space and in particular European and could allow Europe to regain some digital sovereignty.

I. Description of the project and processing

The objectives of the research are as follows: to analyze the difference between open and closed micro-blogging digital environments from the perspective of social dynamics and online debates. To study as a case study the ongoing migration between X and spaces based on open protocols AT Protocol and Activity Pub and to study the appropriation of decentralized digital spaces over time (5-year horizon).

The OpenPortability project involves:

• Data collection for data portability between social networks
• Data collection for taking a snapshot of the social structure of the X network
• Data collection for taking snapshots of the social structures of alternative networks
• Data portability
• Data processing and analysis

II. Data collection, recipients and retention

Data collected directly from individuals and processed are:

• Digital identifiers on social networks (user name ID)
• Profile names on social networks
• Email addresses

Bluesky's personal data protection policy is available on: https://bsky.social/about/support/privacy-policy

Mastodon's personal data protection policy is available on https://joinmastodon.org/servers

III. Security measures

To ensure data confidentiality and protection, measures are taken in application of the State's information systems security policy, applied to CNRS. Data is hosted in France on CNRS servers.

IV. Exercise of your rights

You can access and obtain copies of data concerning you, object to the processing of this data or have it corrected. You also have the right to restrict the processing of your data. You can exercise these rights by contacting the data controller at the Institute of Complex Systems-Paris Ile de France, located at 113 rue Nationale 75013 Paris, or using the contact form available on https://openportability.org/

You can also contact the CNRS Data Protection Officer (DPO) at the following address: CNRS - Data Protection Service, 2 rue Jean Zay, 54519 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy - dpd.demandes@cnrs.fr.

If you believe that your Information Technology and Freedoms rights are not being respected, you have the possibility to file a complaint online with the CNIL, 3 Place de Fontenoy, TSA 80715 – 75334 Paris Cedex 07 (https://www.cnil.fr/).