As a Synapse 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
de-emphasize? Shared with you and/or members of your research team?
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 other collaborators; each Synapse user wishing to access controlled data must individually agree to the conditions for use to access that data. To learn more about Conditions for Use and how to apply them to your data, see Conditions for Use.
Important: Controlled Data may not be redistributed.
Examples of controlled data include:
Data with minimal risks of re-identifying research participants
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
General terms and conditions
Open Data
Synapse open data is data that does not require Conditions for Use. Open data is subject to general terms and conditions, and data users must have a registered Synapse account. Typically, open data is:
Data from model organisms, species, or strains
Non-biological data, like data used for the calibration of instruments
Human data that are:
Publicly available elsewhere
De-identified and non-sensitive, with no known sharing or use restrictions
Self-contributed and unambiguously consented for open data sharing and use
Public Data
Public data is similar to open data except it is available for anonymous access. In other words, anyone on the web can view and download it without creating a Synapse account.