Data Sharing Agreements: Enabling Collaboration While Protecting Information

Data sharing agreements are essential tools when organisations want to share personal information.

A Data Sharing Agreement is a legal contract that sets out the responsibilities of the partners involved in the data sharing. The terms set out how data can be accessed, used, protected and retained when shared between parties. Whether you’re a business partnering with vendors, a researcher collaborating across clients, or a membership organisation providing additional services through a contracted service company, understanding data sharing agreements is essential to comply with data protection legislation.

Key components of data sharing agreements:

  • Purpose and scope: Clearly define why data is being shared and what specific data sets are covered.
  • Data handling requirements: Outline security measures, access controls, and data storage protocols.
  • Use limitations: Specify the agreed use of the data and any restrictions.
  • Privacy protections: Address how personal or sensitive information will be safeguarded.
  • Data quality and integrity: Set standards for data accuracy and processes for correcting any errors.
  • Duration and termination: Establish the timeframe for sharing and procedures for ending access to the data and any deletion processes.
  • Liability and indemnification: Clarify responsibilities if data breaches or misuse occurs.
  • Compliance with regulations: Ensure the agreement aligns with relevant laws like GDPR.

The benefits of data sharing agreements

There are benefits to ensuring that a Data Sharing Agreement is in place. These include:

  • The ability to foster innovation through collaboration
  • Maintaining control over valuable information assets
  • Build trust between partners as the agreement sets out responsibilities
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with the relevant privacy legislation
  • Manages and mitigates risks associated with data sharing.

As organisations increasingly rely on sharing data to collaborate and provide a better service, robust data sharing agreements are becoming more important than ever. By carefully negotiating and implementing these agreements, parties can be confident of a troouble free collaborative experience.