The marketization of data elements is a critical step in harnessing the potential of data as a “new” economic element. This process is essential for driving the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises and achieving sustainable development. Using data from listed manufacturing enterprises (2013–2022), this study applied the difference-in-differences method to analyze how the marketization of data elements accelerates digital transformation. The results indicated that data trading platforms play a significant role by lowering enterprise costs, easing financing constraints, fostering digital technology innovation, and promoting the growth of the digital service industry. The impact varies across regions, ownership structures, and executive backgrounds. This research offers fresh insights into facilitating the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises and provides practical guidance for policymakers to advance the market-oriented reform of data elements and enhance enterprises’ digital capabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only brought a virus to the public, but also spawned a large number of rumors. The Internet has made it very convenient for media websites to record and spread rumors, while the official government, as the subject of rumor control, can release rumor-refutation information to reduce the harm of rumors. Therefore, this study took into account information-carrying variables, such as media websites and official governments, and expanded the classic ISR rumor propagation model into a five-dimensional, two-level rumor propagation model that interacts between the main body layer and the information layer. Based on the constructed model, the mean field equation was obtained. Through mathematical analysis, the equilibrium point and the basic reproduction number of rumors were calculated. At the same time, stability analysis was conducted using the Routh Hurwitz stability criterion. Finally, a numerical simulation verified that when the basic regeneration number was less than 1, rumors disappeared in the system; when the basic regeneration number was greater than 1, rumors continued to exist in the system and rumors erupted. The executive power of the official government to dispel rumors, that is, the effectiveness of the government, played a decisive role in suppressing the spread of rumors.