As society becomes increasingly digital, policy-makers and researchers face the complex challenge of leveraging data and algorithms to tackle critical issues in social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and privacy. At the same time, evolving data access regulations, such as those introduced by the Digital Services Act (DSA), pose significant barriers to researchers striving for transparent and equitable access to platform data. This panel brings together leading academia, industry, and policy-making experts to explore actionable strategies for developing ethical and effective data-driven policies. Discussions will focus on balancing privacy protections with technological innovation and ensuring equitable data access for scientific research. The panel seeks to safeguard digital rights and advance evidence-based approaches to policy in the digital age by fostering collaboration and bridging the gap between academic research and policy-making.