In light of former president Donald Trump's re-election, the scientific, academic, and business communities have resumed and expanded mobilization efforts to safeguard critical data spanning climate science, immigration, education, and the economy. Based on its prior record, current proclamations, and cabinet leadership selections, many fear the new administration could restrict access to or manipulate publicly available information that challenges its policy positions.

The Silencing Science Tracker documented approximately 1,400 changes to US agency websites that removed science-based information on environmental issues during the last Trump administration. 80% of these changes suspiciously occurred just before or during regulatory proceedings.

Data suppression or alteration poses serious risks to various sectors and populations. Without access to accurate data, climate science, immigration, education, and the economy could be adversely affected.

Researchers could face obstacles in tracking and combating climate change, leaving governments and businesses less prepared for its impacts and less able to help thwart climate change. Gaps in immigration data obscure understanding of migration patterns, complicating the development of effective policies, impacting the workforce, or worse, weaponizing misinformation to compromise the rights of certain classes of individuals. Misleading educational data could skew resource allocation, funding, and educational content, affecting students, educators, and ultimately businesses for generations to come. And without reliable economic data, businesses and policymakers may be left navigating uncertainty, potentially destabilizing markets, and putting the breaks on innovation.

"The removal of data is not just about access," says Linda Dillon, Assistant Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz and founding member of the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI), "it's about the erasure of knowledge that communities rely on to advocate for their health and environment."

Proactive measures by universities, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations in the U.S. highlight the urgency of preserving critical datasets:

"It began to feel extremely urgent and called for engagement of a much wider research and volunteer community," explains Bethany Wiggin about the founding of DataRefuge. "We are trying to create an insurance policy."

The challenges posed by data suppression transcend political administrations and national borders. Efforts to preserve data reflect a broader commitment to transparency, accountability, and the public interest.

"If the information we [scientists] produce remains shut away, it has no value," cautioned Dr. Valérie Masson-Delmotte, Research Director at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). "Our challenge is to share it within the education system and with decision-makers."

Efforts in the U.S. are paralleled by international and corporate measures to preserve this data, underscoring the global importance of information transparency and accessibility. Global initiatives stepping in to ensure data integrity and accessibility include:

Mark Graham, Director of the Wayback Machine, emphasizes its role in combating digital decay: "The Wayback Machine serves as a defense against linkrot, preserving the web's history and ensuring that valuable information remains accessible over time."

Regarding research data specifically, Dr. Valérie Masson-Delmotte, co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, emphasizes the global nature of these efforts: "International cooperation in data preservation is essential for combating global challenges like climate change. Data must transcend borders."

Businesses and their Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Data Officers (CDOs) also can play a pivotal role in preserving and ensuring access to critical data:

"The ability to access and analyze data is essential for scientific progress and informed decision-making," says Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google currently involved in several high-profile initiatives and ventures related to AI and national competitiveness. "Any attempt to limit or erase public research data is a step backward for society and innovation."

For businesses, the implications of restricted data are clear. Without reliable economic data, businesses face uncertainty, leading to potential financial losses, and overall market instability. Moreover, as companies rely on data to navigate environmental and industry regulations, missing or altered data complicates compliance and strategy development. And reputationally, organizations perceived as participating in or benefiting from data suppression risk public backlash and loss of consumer trust. By supporting data preservation, companies not only safeguard critical information but also align themselves with the public interest, enhancing their credibility and long-term stability.

However, merely claiming or acknowledging data's importance to the future of society and the economy may not go far enough. Emerging data valuation models can go a step further in formally proving the impact that integrated, clean, complete, and available data can have.

Failure to preserve data has far-reaching consequences. Inaccurate or missing datasets hinder scientific progress, mislead policymakers, and erode public trust. As seen during Trump's first term, the suppression of climate data spurred misinformation, weakening the nation's ability to address and participate in solving environmental challenges.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, spoke about the role of technology in preserving information: "In the digital age, we have a responsibility to ensure that valuable scientific data and research are not only preserved but made more accessible to drive innovation and solve global challenges."

Preserving data requires collective effort from governments, academia, businesses, technology providers, and international organizations. Such actions include:

As President Trump's administration begins its second term, the call to action for data preservation is more urgent than ever. Whether through grassroots initiatives, corporate advocacy, or international cooperation, the fight to safeguard information remains a vital part of safeguarding our collective future.