Stream: community

Topic: Restricted File Access Question

Bethany Seeger (Mar 31 2025 at 18:14):

Hello,
We have some restricted files in our instance and I just wanted to confirm something. In order to request access to the restricted file, a user must have an account on the system, is that correct? Is that the only way someone could get access to a restricted file? Makes sense if it is (view access permitted to that user, I'm guessing), but I wanted to confirm if that's the case.

Thanks!

Philip Durbin 🚀 (Mar 31 2025 at 18:16):

That's the normal way, yes.

Philip Durbin 🚀 (Mar 31 2025 at 18:16):

You could also generate a Preview URL.

Philip Durbin 🚀 (Mar 31 2025 at 18:17):

But typically the person restricting the file wants granular control over who has access.

Bethany Seeger (Mar 31 2025 at 18:19):

Thanks, that makes sense. Thanks for confirming.

Philip Durbin 🚀 (Mar 31 2025 at 18:19):

Sure.

Philip Durbin 🚀 (Mar 31 2025 at 18:20):

There's also a new-ish guestbook at request feature you might want to check out: https://guides.dataverse.org/en/6.6/installation/config.html#dataverse-files-guestbook-at-request

Bethany Seeger (Mar 31 2025 at 18:22):

That looks interesting. I've been wondering if the collection owner really wants restricted files, or just to know who's downloading them. If the later, then a guestbook may make more sense.

Last updated: Nov 01 2025 at 14:11 UTC