Question 1

What is NetLab UFRJ?

Accepted Answer

NetLab UFRJ is a research laboratory on the internet and social networks linked to the School of Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 2013, it was formally registered with CNPq and certified by UFRJ in 2014 to carry out research, teaching and extension activities.

With dozens of research projects presented at academic conferences and published in the main national and international scientific journals in the fields of Social Communication, Social Sciences and Computer Sciences, NetLab UFRJ develops innovative research combining digital and computational methods, customized tools, qualitative analysis and statistical techniques.

Netlab UFRJ is one of 1,456 laboratories at UFRJ. In keeping with its strategic relevance to the country's development, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) is considered the best Federal University in Brazil according to The World University Ranking 2024, one of the most respected international rankings.

Question 2

How is NetLab UFRJ financed?

Accepted Answer

Until 2020, NetLab UFRJ operated solely with resources from the University itself. In 2020, the laboratory was selected by public notice from CNPq and received the first private donation for research development.

Financial support for research projects in laboratories linked to Brazilian public universities, such as NetLab UFRJ, is fundamental for the country's scientific and technological development. This investment contributes to excellence in academic training and provides resources for participation in national and international courses, training, events and scientific collaborations.

Private donations are at the discretion of funding entities to fund projects or institutionally support the Laboratory. The current funders of Netlab UFRJ are Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, OAK Foundation, Instituto Galo da Manhã, Greenpeace Brasil and Serrapilheira. NetLab UFRJ's international funders also support the largest social science research centers and laboratories in the world, such as the Oxford Internet Institute and the London School of Economics.

As NetLab UFRJ is part of a Federal University, public partnerships are governed by the Decentralized Execution Terms (TED) , which regulate the receipt of resources from a federal public entity by another Union body. The rules for this type of financing are available on the Ministry of Economy page.

More information about financing and funding entities is published on the NetLab UFRJ Institutional Policy page .

Question 3

Quais projetos de pesquisa do NetLab UFRJ têm apoio financeiro?

Accepted Answer

Three lines of research currently receive financial support: Environment and Climate Change; Political Economy of Disinformation; Gender Disinformation and Hate Speech. The lines of research “Science, Denialism and Conspiracy Theories”; “Algorithm Studies and Recommendation Systems” and “Politics and Disinformation” do not currently receive funding.

Question 4

How is the NetLab UFRJ team paid?

Accepted Answer

The NetLab UFRJ team is made up of teaching, research and extension fellows who receive grants corresponding to their training and experience. The stipends are based on the remuneration criteria established by support foundations such as the José Bonifácio Foundation (FUJB) and the Coppetec Foundation.

The laboratory's institutional funding provides autonomy for the distribution of researchers in different projects, which means that some work exclusively on one project, others on more than one, and many work on all projects. This organizational structure gives depth and multidisciplinarity to the research and, on the other hand, establishes a dynamic of collaboration and dialogue between members, their research and results. The team works together on different projects, depending on (1) the area of expertise and affinity of each researcher, (2) the availability and research interests, and (3) the internal demands of the laboratory.

Question 5

What is the academic profile of the NetLab UFRJ team?

Accepted Answer

The laboratory is made up of a multidisciplinary team of more than 40 people from different areas, such as Communication, Sociology, Information Science, Political Science, Engineering, Data Science and Computing. The team is made up of undergraduates, master's students, doctoral students, post-doctoral students and professors.

Learn more here.

Question 6

Is the NetLab UFRJ research partisan?

Accepted Answer

NetLab UFRJ is a UFRJ research laboratory and benefits from the principles of university autonomy and academic freedom. Research is independent of both the government and the public and private institutions that fund the Laboratory.

Question 7

How does NetLab UFRJ obtain the data used in research?

Accepted Answer

Data from platforms, advertisements and websites are collected and constantly monitored through a dedicated system that works in continuous update, to adapt to frequent changes in policies and adapt to updated platform access interfaces.

Data is currently collected from X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Google Ads, Meta Ads, native ads, groups and public channels on WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as professional news portals, local vehicles and junk news .

Question 8

What are the ethical research guidelines for using data collected by NetLab UFRJ?

Accepted Answer

The research carried out by NetLab UFRJ is in line with the applicable constitutional and infra-constitutional guidelines. More specifically, NetLab UFRJ acts in accordance with the provisions of the Access to Information Law (Law No. 12.527/11), the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet (Law No. 12.965/14), and the General Data Protection Law (Law No. 13.709/18), without prejudice to other applicable rules.

Question 9

Does NetLab UFRJ do social listening?

Accepted Answer

NetLab UFRJ does not do social listening like some tools that serve the marketing market. The laboratory collects data to develop academic and scientific research on the social uses of the internet and digital platforms. NetLab UFRJ operates in the field of Social Data Science , an area of knowledge that combines data science methods with social science approaches.

Question 10

Does NetLab UFRJ do Fact Checking?

Accepted Answer

NetLab UFRJ does not check content . The laboratory's research focus is the analysis of the phenomenon of disinformation related to algorithmic manipulation; of inauthentic accounts that emulate human behaviors (bots, trolls, etc.); of falsification of public debate; fraud and scams against Brazilian consumers in digital advertisements; among other topics relevant to the laboratory's lines of research.

Question 11

Does NetLab UFRJ participate in any initiative or project that involves content moderation on social networks?

Accepted Answer

NetLab UFRJ has no relationship with content moderation initiatives or activities. The lab's work is materialized in the production of articles, reports and technical notes that are public and accessible to anyone interested. The materials produced by the laboratory are available on this website.

In addition, NetLab UFRJ does not even have the competence to carry out content moderation activities, under the terms of Law no. 12.969/14 ("Marco Civil da Internet").

Once research results are published, they are subject to multiple readings, interpretations and uses, which are beyond the control of the laboratory. In other words, research can be interpreted and used in different ways, often different from the original intention of the authors.

Question 12

Is it possible to access data from reports published by NetLab UFRJ?

Accepted Answer

The data processed by NetLab UFRJ, especially those involving personal data, is stored in accordance with strict technical and administrative security standards, with access restricted exclusively to researchers involved in the project.

If there is no legal impediment, in particular in relation to the provisions of the General Personal Data Protection Law, NetLab UFRJ may, in some situations, share its database with third parties.

If you wish to have access to the database of a NetLab report, send an email to netlab@eco.ufrj.br identifying yourself, explaining the reason for your interest in the data and how it will be used. NetLab UFRJ will evaluate your request and get in touch.

Question 13

Does NetLab UFRJ make data available for third-party research?

Accepted Answer

NetLab UFRJ does not collect data for third parties nor does it provide public access to its databases. The laboratory's publications and reports are available for consultation and can be referenced as secondary evidence in other productions or publications, academic or not.

Question 14

How can I contact NetLab UFRJ?

Accepted Answer

Get in touch by email at netlab@eco.ufrj.br or via the contact page identifying yourself, indicating the topic, report or article of interest.

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