What governance measures apply to data used for secondary purposes under TCPS 2?

• A. Protect privacy while enabling future use.
• B. Prohibit all future use.
• C. Grant access to all researchers regardless of purpose.
• D. Require data to be destroyed after each use.

Answer: (A)

Governance of data for secondary purposes under TCPS 2 centers on protecting privacy while allowing data to be reused for future research under appropriate oversight. This means that when data collected for one purpose are reused, there must be ethics review or a pre-approved governance framework, clear consent or justification for secondary use, and strong privacy safeguards. Practical measures include de-identification or anonymization where possible, secure data storage, strict access controls, and data-sharing or data-use agreements that specify who can access the data, for what purposes, and under what conditions. The goal is to enable valuable secondary research without compromising participants’ privacy, with ongoing oversight and risk management.

It’s not a blanket prohibition on future use, nor does it grant unrestricted access to all researchers or require destruction after every use. Access is limited by purpose, oversight, and approved safeguards, and data can be retained and reused under the approved governance framework.