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Paper short abstract

The study of “found data”—anonymous digital traces—challenges authorship, ownership, and research ethics. Analysing Schuldenvrij (a Dutch debt forum), we found interpreting fragmented 'noisy data' demands rigor and ethical reflection, reshaping authorship as collective and distributed.

Paper long abstract

Anthropological discussions on open science and digital infrastructures frequently overlook the importance of "found data"—digital traces that lack identifiable authorship. This omission is notable, as such data challenges conventional understandings of authorship, ownership, and ethical responsibility in research.

To address this gap, we examine the Dutch online forum Schuldenvrij (‘Debtfree’), a public platform where individuals anonymously share their personal financial struggles. The forum’s recent removal from public access raises critical questions about data governance, accountability, and the ethical complexities of preserving digital archives.

Our analysis of the Schuldenvrij materials demonstrates that rendering found data legible demands substantial intellectual effort. Anthropologists must interpret and theorize ambiguous, fragmented, or incomplete materials—what we term "noisy data." This process requires not only analytical rigor but also a deep engagement with the authorship of anonymized, user-generated content.

Drawing on a hermeneutic perspective, we argue that anthropologists studying found digital data add an additional layer of meaning to these materials. In doing so, they expand traditional notions of authorship, shifting toward distributed and collective models that challenge conventional ideas of originality, ownership, and copyright.