The Data Exchange is intended as a clearinghouse to collect and share information between its members.
The Data Exchange was founded by System. (He) currently acts as leader of the faction.
The point of the Data Exchange is more or less a resource for various entities with similar goals to cooperate, share data, and use their expertise to try and do some research work for others, if they need it.
This is an informal process at the moment, one need only to contact System to determine their eligibility.