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How transparent are transparency reports? Comparative analysis of transparency reporting across online platforms

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  • Urman, Aleksandra
  • Makhortykh, Mykola

Abstract

Over the last decade, transparency reports have been adopted by most large information technology companies. These reports provide important information on the requests tech companies receive from state actors around the world and the ways they respond to these requests, including what content the companies remove from platforms they own. In theory, such reports shall make inner workings of companies more transparent, in particular with respect to their collaboration with state actors. They shall also allow users and external entities (e.g., researchers or watchdogs) to assess to what extent companies adhere to their own policies on user privacy and content moderation as well as to the principles formulated by global entities that advocate for the freedom of expression and privacy online such as the Global Network Initiative or Santa Clara Principles. However, whether the current state of transparency reports actually is conducive to meaningful transparency remains an open question. In this paper, we aim to address this through a critical comparative analysis of transparency reports using Santa Clara Principles 2.0 (SCP 2.0) as the main analytical framework. Specifically, we aim to make three contributions: first, we conduct a comparative analysis of the types of data disclosed by major tech companies and social media platforms in their transparency reports. The companies and platforms analyzed include Google (incl. YouTube), Microsoft (incl. its subsidiaries Github and LinkedIn), Apple, Meta (prev. Facebook), TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit and Amazon (incl. subsidiary Twitch). Second, we evaluate to what degree the released information complies with SCP 2.0 and how it aligns with different purposes of transparency. Finally, we outline recommendations that could improve the level of transparency within the reports and beyond, and contextualize our recommendations with regard to the Digital Services Act (DSA) that received the final approval of the European Council in October 2022.

Suggested Citation

  • Urman, Aleksandra & Makhortykh, Mykola, 2023. "How transparent are transparency reports? Comparative analysis of transparency reporting across online platforms," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:47:y:2023:i:3:s0308596122001793
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2022.102477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fox, Jonathan A, 2007. "The uncertain relationship between transparency and accountability," Center for Global, International and Regional Studies, Working Paper Series qt8c25c3z4, Center for Global, International and Regional Studies, UC Santa Cruz.
    2. Bastian, Mariella & Makhortykh, Mykola & Harambam, Jaron & van Drunen, Max, 2020. "Explanations of news personalisation across countries and media types," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 9(4), pages 1-34.
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    4. Gillespie, Tarleton & Aufderheide, Patricia & Carmi, Elinor & Gerrard, Ysabel & Gorwa, Robert & Matamoros-Fernández, Ariadna & Roberts, Sarah T. & Sinnreich, Aram & Myers West, Sarah, 2020. "Expanding the debate about content moderation: Scholarly research agendas for the coming policy debates," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 9(4), pages 1-29.
    5. Heldt, Amélie, 2019. "Reading between the lines and the numbers: an analysis of the first NetzDG reports," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18.
    6. Jonathan Fox, 2007. "The uncertain relationship between transparency and accountability," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(4-5), pages 663-671.
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    1. Groesch, Samuel & Birrer, Alena & Just, Natascha & Saurwein, Florian, 2026. "Big data, small answers: How the DSA Transparency Database falls short of its regulatory objectives," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(1).

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