> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc.md). # Data Protection & Privacy in the ODC ## Structure & Data Access The ODC is a protected space to store and share data with your colleagues and the public. Every dataset uploaded to the ODC is affiliated with a [Verified Laboratory](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/verified-laboratories-the-lab-space.md) - meaning data stored on the ODC is created by individuals associated with a laboratory or research group at a recognized institution. The [Lab Space](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#lab-space) is the exclusive, virtual home that represents a verified laboratory on the ODC. Each verified laboratory has its own [Lab Space](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#lab-space), controlled by a [Principal Investigator](/open-data-commons/how-to-get-help/glossary.md#pi) (PI, head of the laboratory or research group at a recognized institution). {% hint style="warning" %} What's the difference between a [Verified Laboratory](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/verified-laboratories-the-lab-space.md) and a [Lab Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space)? In traditional research terms, think of a verified laboratory as your research group's identity (e.g., The Neuron Lab), whereas your lab space is akin to the physical lab itself (e.g., the rooms or building belonging to The Neuron Lab). {% endhint %}
To upload data, a user *must* belong to a [Lab Space](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/data-spaces.md#lab-space) on the ODC. If the data uploader belongs to multiple labs, they must choose which one their dataset belongs to; this affiliation cannot be changed after the dataset has been created. Access to unpublished data is protected and restricted through a combination of the user's [Account Type](broken://pages/mm7HM3x67Kte7FpqSDDT) and [Lab Role(s)](/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc/verified-laboratories-the-lab-space.md#lab-user-roles) as well as the [Data Storage Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ): the [Personal Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#personal-space), [Lab Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space), [Community Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#community), or [Public Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#public). This authorization process was designed in response to community input and involves a 3 tier approval process for full privileges.
## Public Data A list of [Public](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#public) datasets (i.e., datasets that have undergone the review process and have been published with a DOI) can be viewed on the ODC without needing to create an account. * Click to view on: [ODC-SCI](https://odc-sci.org/data/public) * Click to view on: [ODC-TBI](https://odc-tbi.org/data/public) Click on the dataset title or DOI to view the metadata and available files related to the dataset. **Note:** a [Basic Access User Account](broken://pages/mm7HM3x67Kte7FpqSDDT#basic-member) **(or higher)** is required to download files from public datasets. Click these links to [learn about the different account types](broken://pages/mm7HM3x67Kte7FpqSDDT) or [how to create an account](/open-data-commons/tutorials/start-here/create-an-account.md). ## Community, Lab, & Personal Data Data stored in a [Community](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#community), [Lab](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space), or [Personal Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#personal-space) is not publicly available. To view and download data stored in these locations, a [Community Access User Account](broken://pages/mm7HM3x67Kte7FpqSDDT#community-member) or [Full Access User Account](broken://pages/mm7HM3x67Kte7FpqSDDT#full-member) is required. **Note:** a [Full Access User Account](broken://pages/mm7HM3x67Kte7FpqSDDT#full-member) ***does not grant access to all data stored on the ODC***. While Full Access Users can view all data in the [Public](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#public) and [Community](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#community) spaces, ***data stored in a*** [***Lab Space*** ](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space)***is only accessible to members of that laboratory***. Additionally, data stored in a Member's [Personal Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#personal-space) (nested within a [Lab Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space)) is only accessible to the data uploader, and the PI/manager of the associated [Lab Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space). Access to each [Lab Space](broken://pages/RQsVCIqGcQKWMdMPAoRQ#lab-space) is governed by an approval process controlled by the space's PI (or their designated manager) to ensure protection of unpublished data. [Creating an account](/open-data-commons/tutorials/start-here/create-an-account.md) is the first step to downloading or uploading data on the ODC. Users can create an account from the homepages of [odc-sci.org](https://odc-sci.org) or [odc-tbi.org](https://odc-tbi.org) - if you are a member of both research communities, you will need to create an account on each site. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://fdilab.gitbook.io/open-data-commons/readme/readme/data-protection-and-privacy-in-the-odc.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.