After exchanging some emails with Erik Zachte, I learned that there is a
new platform in progress which can enable wikimedia to share referral
strings from browser requests provided that they originate from within
wikipedia. I think this shouldn't raise any privacy concerns. I wonder when
this platform will be available and is there any plan to release such data
for outside researchers once this new platform is ready.
I also think that, wikipedia itself can use this data, to suggest articles
automatically without editor's involvement which can increase the
navigation a bit easier, especially for articles where the reader is not
very familiar with.
Thanks