Data Sharing Agreements served two purposes:

• Outlines consequences for breaking the rules including the types of sanctions that will be implemented
• Details an organisation’s philosophy for the intended usage of their website
• It protects the agency providing the data ensuring that the data will not be misused.
• It prevents miscommunication on the part of the provider of the data and the receiver by removing any ambiguities. In this way, both parties remain protected from liability action.

Information that should be included in a Data Sharing Agreement:

• Period of agreement: clearly define when the provider will give the data to the receiver and how long the receiver will be able to use the data. Further, what happens when the receiver is no longer able to use the data; will it be destroyed or returned to the provider?
• Intended use of the data.
• Constraints on the use of the data: e.g., any restrictions on how the data can be used.
• Data security
• Methods of data-sharing
• Financial costs of data-sharing