Acceptable Use of the National Data Platform and Agreement to its Terms of Use.
Please read these Terms of Use (“Terms”) carefully before accessing the National Data Platform (“NDP”). These Terms apply to all NDP’s data, resources, and features. By using NDP, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by these Terms without limitation or qualification. If you do not agree to these Terms, you are not authorized to use NDP.
Modifications to These Terms.
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time by posting updates on this page. A modification takes effect immediately upon posting, unless otherwise specified. Your continued use of the platform after a change is posted on this page, will indicate your acceptance of the revised Terms. We recommend that you periodically visit this page to stay informed of the current Terms.
User Eligibility.
NDP is designed exclusively for non-commercial purposes, with the goal of facilitating educational, research, and collaborative initiatives among its users. Any attempt to use the platform for commercial gain, such as posting unsolicited messages or advertisements, is strictly prohibited. Violating this policy may result in the suspension or termination of your account, as NDP is committed to maintaining a space that prioritizes academic and research-driven efforts and interests.
User Registration.
Access to certain data, resources, and features of NDP is restricted to registered users, who may be required to provide personal information. By creating an account, you agree to provide accurate and complete information. Providing false information or omitting relevant details may result in the suspension or termination of your access. Additionally, you are prohibited from impersonating another individual or accessing NDP using someone else’s credentials.
User Access.
You are responsible for:
- maintaining the confidentiality of your user ID and password and
- ensuring that access to your account is restricted to you alone.
Any actions conducted under your account are your responsibility, whether or not they were authorized by you. NDP prohibits the sharing of login credentials with third parties, and you must take all necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized use of your account (e.g., use strong passwords and log out after each session). If you suspect that your account has been compromised or accessed without your permission, it is your responsibility to notify us immediately at ndp@sdsc.edu. NDP will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting from your failure to protect your login information.
User Account Termination.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to NDP at our discretion, without prior notice, warning, or justification. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to violations of these Terms, misuse of the platform, or any activity we deem harmful, unlawful, or disruptive to the platform’s intended use. In the event of termination, your access to NDP and its data, resources, and features will be immediately terminated and you will no longer have permission to use the platform.
Privacy and Confidentiality.
We value your privacy and are committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of your personal information. By using NDP, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal data in accordance with the following principles:
Collection of Information: We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when creating an account, submitting data, or interacting with the platform, including but not limited to names, contact information, and any data uploaded to the platform for research, educational, or collaborative purposes. We may contact you to request additional details or to inform you about updates related to NDP.
Use of Information: The personal information collected will be used solely for the purposes of operating, maintaining, and improving NDP. We may also use this information to communicate with you regarding platform updates, changes to terms, or service improvements. We will not sell or share your personal information with third parties without your permission except as required to comply with legal obligations, exercise legal claims or rights, or defend legal claims.
Third-Party Services: NDP may interface with third-party services to provide certain features or functionalities (e.g., external data sources or tools). These third-party services may collect and process data in accordance with their own privacy policies. Users should review those policies to understand how their data is handled by these external parties.
Confidentiality of Data: NDP is an open platform for sharing research data, and it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that any data they submit to NDP is appropriate for open dissemination and complies with all applicable laws, including but not limited to privacy, data protection, and intellectual property rights. Accordingly, users are responsible for identifying the legal and regulatory compliance requirements applicable to their organization and data and enforcing the necessary protocol and best practices to meet these requirements. We disclaim any responsibility or obligation to maintain the confidentiality of any information posted on NDP. Do not upload or store any information on NDP if you are required to maintain its confidentiality or expect it to remain confidential.
Collection of Information: We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when creating an account, submitting data, or interacting with the platform, including but not limited to names, contact information, and any data uploaded to the platform for research, educational, or collaborative purposes. We may contact you to request additional details or to inform you about updates related to NDP.
Use of Information: The personal information collected will be used solely for the purposes of operating, maintaining, and improving NDP. We may also use this information to communicate with you regarding platform updates, changes to terms, or service improvements. We will not sell or share your personal information with third parties without your permission except as required to comply with legal obligations, exercise legal claims or rights, or defend legal claims.
Third-Party Services: NDP may interface with third-party services to provide certain features or functionalities (e.g., external data sources or tools). These third-party services may collect and process data in accordance with their own privacy policies. Users should review those policies to understand how their data is handled by these external parties.
Confidentiality of Data: NDP is an open platform for sharing research data, and it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that any data they submit to NDP is appropriate for open dissemination and complies with all applicable laws, including but not limited to privacy, data protection, and intellectual property rights. Accordingly, users are responsible for identifying the legal and regulatory compliance requirements applicable to their organization and data and enforcing the necessary protocol and best practices to meet these requirements. We disclaim any responsibility or obligation to maintain the confidentiality of any information posted on NDP. Do not upload or store any information on NDP if you are required to maintain its confidentiality or expect it to remain confidential.
Permissible Uses.
NDP is committed to fostering a collaborative, equitable, and educational environment for all users. To ensure the platform remains a valuable resource, we have established guidelines for the responsible use of NDP’s data, resources, and features. By creating an account and participating in the platform, you agree to use NDP in a legal, ethical manner, in a way that does not harm others, and strictly adhere to these Terms and the National Data Platform Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with these Terms and/or the Code of Conduct may result in the restriction or termination of your access to NDP. Below are the key responsibilities and expectations for users of the platform.
NDP relies on its community of users to maintain a respectful and appropriate environment, ensuring that all content aligns with the platform’s values and purpose. After creating an account on the platform, you are permitted to upload and share content, collaborate with other users, and make use of the full range of resources and features offered on the platform. All users are encouraged to assist in content moderation by reporting any material that appears offensive or inappropriate to ndp@sdsc.edu. If your content is reported, it will be removed for review. If the content is found to comply with guidelines, it will be restored; otherwise, it will remain removed, and, depending on the severity, your account may be suspended or terminated.
By accessing and using the platform, you agree to the following:
- You will comply with all applicable laws while using NDP.
- You will not use NDP to engage in or encourage others to engage in any illegal activity, including criminal offenses or actions that may lead to civil liability.
- You will not post or transmit any content that is unlawful, threatening, defamatory, harassing, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, profane, or otherwise inappropriate.
- You will not impersonate any person, entity, or organization while using NDP.
- You will not upload any content containing a software virus, “Trojan Horse,” or any other malicious code, files, or programs that could disrupt, alter, or harm the functionality of the platform or the hardware and/or software of other users accessing the platform.
- You will not post any content that infringes upon or violates someone else’s intellectual property rights.
- You will not redistribute any content from NDP or create derivative works unless explicitly permitted by the licensing terms associated with that content.
- You will not modify, damage, or remove any content posted on NDP.
- You will not claim to represent any business, association, or organization without express authorization to do so.
- You will not post or transmit any unsolicited advertisements, promotional content, or other forms of solicitation.
- You will not use email addresses obtained or accessed through NDP to send the same or substantially similar unsolicited messages to multiple users unless it serves a legitimate purpose directly related to the platform’s research and educational goals.
Right to Remove Content and Modify/Terminate Services/Platform.
We reserve the right to reject, remove, or disable any content that is found to breach these Terms, NDP policies or practices, or any relevant federal or state law, regulation, or statute. Additionally, we retain the authority to alter, suspend, or discontinue any service and/or the platform, with or without prior notice, and without liability to its users.
Governing Law and Venue.
Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms and/or NDP, whether based in contract, tort or other law, will be governed by federal law and the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of law’s provisions. The exclusive jurisdiction and venue is in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction situated in San Diego County, California.
No Warranties and Disclaimer of Liability.
NDP, INCLUDING ANY DATA, RESOURCES, FEATURES, AND ANY RELATED APPLICATIONS OR SYSTEMS OFFERED, IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTIES RIGHTS. USERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT NDP WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, ERROR-FREE, OR VIRUS-FREE.
Data and any information uploaded to the platform represents the views and opinions of its respective authors, who bear sole responsibility for their contributions. We do not verify the accuracy or completeness of the data or information on the platform and will not be liable for any harm or damages arising from its use. The use of NDP is at your own risk, and we are not liable for any damages resulting from your use or inability to use the platform, including but not limited to any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, whether foreseeable or not.
Content on NDP is created and provided by various contributors. The content and opinions expressed are solely those of the individual authors and do not represent the opinions or policies of NDP or its sponsors. The inclusion of this content on NDP does not signify any endorsement by NDP or its sponsors.
Data and any information uploaded to the platform represents the views and opinions of its respective authors, who bear sole responsibility for their contributions. We do not verify the accuracy or completeness of the data or information on the platform and will not be liable for any harm or damages arising from its use. The use of NDP is at your own risk, and we are not liable for any damages resulting from your use or inability to use the platform, including but not limited to any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, whether foreseeable or not.
Content on NDP is created and provided by various contributors. The content and opinions expressed are solely those of the individual authors and do not represent the opinions or policies of NDP or its sponsors. The inclusion of this content on NDP does not signify any endorsement by NDP or its sponsors.