Report Problem
Universität Bielefeld

How do I request data from social media platforms?

Before participating in the study, please request your data directly from Facebook and/or WhatsApp and/or Instagram. You can donate data from each of these platforms. If you only want to donate data from one platform, please select the platform that is more important to you. Please take a close look at the corresponding instructions, as they contain important information for the further steps.

What type of device should I use?

You need your smartphone, on which you use WhatsApp. Please make sure that you are storing the data on a device that no one but you has access to.

Which chats should I choose?

From time to time most people discuss important matters with others and we need people we can rely on for help. They may be family, friends, or people who have really helped you - we are interested in the chats with the people you are most likely to talk to about really important things in your life.

Please select 5-7 chats with people with whom you discuss important things in your life (group chats are also possible).

How can I delete my data from my device?

We strongly recommend that you delete your original data (chat files) from your device and from your e-mail system (inbox and sent) after completing the donation. Note that simply deleting the files may not be enough to permanently remove the data from your device. Further information on the permanent deletion of files can be found on the website of the University of Michigan.

This is the chat export process on an iPhone.

Overview of the download & donation procedure

  1. Open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
  2. Think about which five chats are most relevant to you (e.g. close friend, partner).
  3. Pick one of the selected chats and open it.
  4. Click on the contact's name in the top center.
  5. Scroll down and click on "Export chat". A window will open. Select "WITHOUT MEDIA".
  6. Select "Mail" (envelope) and send the mail with the attached chat file to yourself. Please only send from/to a secure mail service (e.g. university mail address). Alternatively, you can send the files to your computer via Bluetooth or Airdrop.
  7. Download the chat file from the email to your computer.
  8. Repeat the steps 3-7 for all chats.

The official documentation on how to download your data can be found here for iOS or Android.

What type of device should I use?

Please make sure that you are storing the data on a device that no one but you has access to. Because the amount of data for Facebook data donations can be quite large, we recommend using a computer.

How long does the data export from Facebook take?

The data is requested with just a few clicks on Facebook (see the instructions below). You will receive a notification from Facebook as soon as the data is available for download and can then start participating in the study.

How can I delete my data from my device?

We strongly recommend that you delete your original data after completing the donation. Note that simply deleting the files may not be enough to permanently remove the data from your device. Further information on the permanent deletion of files can for example be found on the website of the University of Michigan or wethegeek.com and appletoolbox.com.

Overview of the download & donation procedure

  1. Open Facebook and log in.
  2. In the top right corner, click on the “Your Profile” button and Select “Settings and privacy”.
  3. Select “Settings”. Then select "Your Facebook information" in the navigation bar on the left.
  4. On the "Your Facebook information" page click on "Download your information". A pop-up appears.
  5. Click on “Request a download”. Then choose “Select types of information”.
  6. In the interest of data minimization, please first deselect all categories. Then, tick the fields “Messages” and "Profile information". Then click “Next”.
  7. Pick a date range: We encourage you to request the data for 1 year but a shorter time span is possible as well.
  8. Change the format from HTML to JSON. Then change the media quality from “Medium” to “Low”.
  9. Click on "Submit Request". As soon as the file is ready for download, you will receive a notification from Facebook. This may take a while.
  10. Scroll back up and click on the "Available Files" tab. There you should see the requested file and can download is as soon it is ready.

The official documentation on how to download your data can be found here.

What type of device should I use?

Please make sure that you are storing the data on a device that no one but you has access to.

How long does the data export from Instagram take?

The data is requested with just a few clicks on Instagram (see the instructions below). You will receive a notification from Instagram as soon as the data is available for download and can then start participating in the study.

How can I delete my data from my device?

We strongly recommend that you delete your original data after completing the donation. Note that simply deleting the files may not be enough to permanently remove the data from your device. Further information on the permanent deletion of files can for example be found on the website of the University of Michigan or wethegeek.com and appletoolbox.com.

Overview of the download & donation procedure

  1. Open Instagram and log in.
  2. In your profile click on the "Menu" button (three lines) and select "Your activity".
  3. All the way on the bottom select “Download your information” and continue to the Accounts Center.
  4. Click on “Download or transfer information”.
  5. Click on “Some of your information”.
  6. Select “Messages” (under “Your Instagram activity”) and “Personal information” (under “Personal information”).
  7. Click on "Next".
  8. Pick a date range: We encourage you to request the data for 1 year but a shorter time span is possible as well.
  9. Change the format from HTML to JSON. Then change the media quality from “Medium” to “Low”.
  10. Click on "Create files". As soon as the file is ready for download, you will receive a notification from Instagram. This may take a while.

The official documentation on how to download your data can be found here.

What type of device should I use?

To obtain your iMessage data, you will need access to an iPhone or a Mac. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the data.

How long does the data export from iMessage take?

The time it takes to export your data depends on the amount of data you have. Please be patient as the process may take some time.

How can I delete my data from my device?

To delete your iMessage data, follow the instructions provided in the Messages app. Ensure that you have backed up any important data before deletion. Further information on the permanent deletion of files can be found on the website of the University of Michigan.

Overview of the download & donation procedure

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone or Mac.
  2. Select the conversation you want to export.
  3. On an iPhone, tap and hold on a message, then tap 'More...' and select the messages you want to export. On a Mac, select the messages you want to export.
  4. Tap the 'Share' icon and choose 'Mail' or another method to send the messages to yourself.
  5. Repeat the steps for other conversations if needed.
  6. Download the exported messages from your email or other method to your computer.

For more detailed instructions, please refer to the official documentation here.

If you have received your data using these instructions, you can now start with the declaration of consent and survey. Afterwards you can donate your data.

Do you have your data ready?
Back