Synapse operates under comprehensive governance policies. These policies delineate Synapse users’ rights and responsibilities. They also specify the rights and responsibilities of Sage Bionetworks and of the Synapse Access and Compliance Team (ACT).
The Synapse Terms and Conditions of Use establishes the use, disclaimers, and limitation of liability governing Synapse. By using Synapse, you are agreeing to abide by each of these terms and conditions.
The Synapse Data Use Procedure describes the standard operating procedures for use of data within Synapse. For example, it defines Open Data and Controlled Data. This policy clarifies the requirements for uploading and downloading data to and from Synapse.
The Privacy Policy explains how Sage Bionetworks aims to protect personal information received, used and disclosed in connection with Synapse from Registered Users and non-registered visitors.
The Code of Conduct delineates the rules and expected behavioral norms of Synapse users. It reflects Sage Bionetworks’ core values and culture of inclusion, respect, and courtesy.
Members of the Synapse Community come from around the world. They have diverse sets of skills, personalities, and experiences. The Synapse community is open and positive. We expect members to follow our Community Standards, and we do not tolerate harassment.
A participant in the Synapse Community:
Here are examples of behavior that do not meet the Synapse Community Standards:
Participating in Synapse is a choice. Sage Bionetworks, as the host of the Synapse Community, has the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct. Sage Bionetworks may also ban temporarily, or permanently, any person who does not meet the Community Standards and whose behaviors they deem inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful.
If you see violations of our Community Standards, please email privacyofficer@sagebase.org. The Synapse Access and Compliance Team (ACT) investigates all reports and decides what to do. We do not hold hearings or allow for appeals. We are committed to protect the confidentiality of victims and of anyone who reports an incident.
This Code of Conduct is adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 1.4.
In order to become a Registered User, users must agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use, the Data Use Procedure, and Privacy Policy. Users must declare to:
The Synapse Access and Compliance Team (ACT) monitors public activities on Synapse through periodic audits to assess compliance with the Synapse governance policies. For example, through these audits, the ACT verifies that public content shared on Synapse has appropriate Conditions for Use. The ACT does not monitor activities or content placed in private Projects. The ACT supports ethical use of Synapse, including adjudicating suspected unauthorized and/or unethical use of data, as well as “unsportsmanlike” behavior within the Synapse research commons. The ACT relies on the community of researchers and research participants for vigilance against unauthorized and/or unethical use of Synapse. Additionally, we rely on the community to hold itself to the highest standard of collegial behavior. People unable or unwilling to meet these standards may be expelled from Synapse. Do not hesitate to get in touch with the ACT (act@synapse.org) if you have questions or suggestions about Synapse governance, including the policies, ethics, or rules for data sharing on Synapse.
It is your responsibility to contact the ACT (act@synapse.org) if:
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Let us know what was unclear or what has not been covered. Reader feedback is key to making the documentation better, so please let us know or open an issue in our Github repository (Sage-Bionetworks/synapseDocs).