The Guild shares a deep concern that universities are likely to be affected by the proposed Digital Services Act. The use of digital repositories, archives and libraries by researchers, and the accessing of digital content by students and researchers alike, must continue to be unfettered. This is essential for academic freedom, and the public interest. The Guild shares a concern with other European organisations representing universities and other organisations, that the Digital Services Act would impose significant additional costs and administrative burdens on universities. It is therefore essential that the Digital Services Act exempts public research (and all those services supporting it), as well as the impact and public outreach stemming from publicly funded research and education, from its obligations.
Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild, said: “Strong universities empowering their researchers and students are an important pillar of European society and economy. This key foundation of Europe’s social, economic and scientific innovation must not be impaired by a Digital Services Act that was designed for a very different purpose, and whose provisions must leave the potential of public research untouched.”
5 April 2022