As a data contributor, you decide how your data is shared and accessed. Generally, data contributors have 4 options for sharing data in Synapse:
Private data: only available to project owners.
Controlled data: (also called controlled access data, or controlled use data) available to registered users that fulfill specific requirements for data access, such as submitting an Intended Data Use statement, obtaining IRB approval, or other prerequisites.
Open data: (also called open access data, or open use data) available for all registered Synapse users.
Anonymous data: available for anyone on the web.
Private Data
Controlled Data
Controlled data requires appropriate Conditions for Use, can only be downloaded and used by authorized Synapse users, and is not transferable unless explicitly specified otherwise. In other words, you cannot share controlled data with collaborators; each Synapse user wishing to access controlled data must individually agree to the conditions for use to access that data.
Important: Controlled Data may not be redistributed.
Examples of controlled data include:
Data whose nature confers more than minimal risks of re-identification to the research participant.
Genetic sequence or genotype data from living individuals
Data from “vulnerable” populations as defined using OHRP guidelines
Data generated with restrictions or requirements for use as outlined in informed consents or legal agreements
Open Data
Synapse open data is data that does not require Conditions for Use. Typically, open data is:
Data from model organisms, species or strains
Non-biological data, like that used for the calibration of instruments
Human data that are:
Publicly available elsewhere
Anonymous
De-identified and non-sensitive, with no known sharing or use restrictions
Self-contributed and unambiguously consented for open data sharing and use