Request to Access Feature is now Available

We’re excited to release a new way for dataset uploaders on Mozilla Data Collective to control how their data is shared. Until now, dataset access has been governed by a combination of license terms and the addition of additional restrictions as part of the consent-to-download flow. While this provides important legal  and usage guardrails, it doesn’t allow for more granular, case-by-case controls.  

With this release, uploaders can now gate access to their datasets, requiring users to request permission and share their email address before downloading. 

🔐 For Uploaders

• New Access Setting: When creating a dataset listing, choose between:
  • Public Access (default) – anyone can download (with the existing agreement flow)
  • Restricted Access – users must request permission before downloading and agree to share their email address with the uploader
  • Private - for temporarily withdrawing your dataset listing from the /datasets page
• Access Requests: Review incoming requests from potential downloaders through your account. You will receive an email notification when a new access request is submitted. 

• Flexible Controls: Approve or reject requests, with the ability to update your decision at any time

📥 For Downloaders

• Request Access Flow: Gated datasets now display a “Request Access” button instead of “Download”
  
• Request Details: When requesting access, users must provide:
  • Preferred name
  • Email address
  • Organization (from profile)
  • Optional message explaining intended use

The uploader of the dataset will be notified of your request and will be able to approve or reject it.

• Status Updates:
  • Pending Access – request submitted
  • Download – access granted
  • Download Unavailable – access denied

This is the first step towards a more granular access control system for organizations hosting their datasets on Mozilla Data Collective. In the future, we will introduce a wider range of available access conditions to better support the range of use cases that dataset owners have set around use of their data.