Who we are
Lurk Research ("Lurk," "we," "us") runs this study to understand algorithmic differences in echo chambers across different geographies and demographics over the course of a news cycle. This notice explains what personal data we collect from study participants, why we collect it, how it's stored, who can access it, and the choices you have.
What we collect
Depending on which part of the study you take part in, we collect:
- Survey responses you provide directly, including demographic information and information about your social media usage.
- A copy of your TikTok data export, which you request and provide to us voluntarily through TikTok's own "download your data" feature.
- Screen recordings captured by the monitoring app you install for the study, limited to your use of the TikTok app during the study period.
We do not collect this data from any source other than what you provide directly, and we do not purchase or supplement it with data from third-party data brokers.
Why we collect it
Your data is used solely for this research study — to understand algorithmic differences in echo chambers across different geographies and demographics over the course of a news cycle. It is not used to advertise to you, sell you anything, or make any decision about you individually.
How it's stored and protected
Storage
Study data is stored in Supabase, a hosted database platform. It is not publicly hosted, and it is password protected.
Who can access it
Only three members of the Lurk Research team have access to your raw data. No one outside the research team — including any study partner or funder — receives access to your identifiable, raw data.
Retention
Raw data is retained for 90 days from collection, after which it is deleted.
How results are shared
All study results are anonymized before they are shared, reported, or published in any form. Findings are reported in the aggregate, or in a form that does not identify you as an individual. We do not sell your personal data, and we do not use it for marketing or advertising purposes, ours or anyone else's.
Your choices
| Right | What it means |
|---|---|
| Withdraw | You can stop participating at any time by emailing echo@lurkresearch.com. |
| Early deletion | You can request early deletion of your data — before the 90-day retention period ends — at any time by emailing echo@lurkresearch.com. |
| Ask questions | You can ask what data we have about you by contacting us below. |
Contact
Questions about this notice, your data, withdrawal, or early deletion:
echo@lurkresearch.com