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SafeInsights

SafeInsights Terms of Service

Effective Date: November 14, 2026

SafeInsights is a research platform operated by William Marsh Rice University (“Rice University”), an institution of higher education organized under the laws of Texas. SafeInsights provides secure, governed research workflows and privacy-preserving analysis tools for the academic and research community. All references to “SafeInsights,” “we,” “us,” or “our” in these Terms mean Rice University, acting through its SafeInsights project. All references to the “Platform” or “Service(s)” mean the tools, services, research environments, websites, and related infrastructure provided by SafeInsights.

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the SafeInsights Platform and Services, unless superseded by a separate, signed agreement between Rice University and you or your organization. If a conflict exists, organizational or study-specific agreements control within their scope; these Terms control general platform access and use.

SafeInsights may require users to accept additional role-based or study-specific acknowledgments, permissions, or workflow conditions before granting access to particular Studies, data, outputs, or Platform functionality.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the SafeInsights platform.

1. Definitions

Wherever used in these Terms, and in any agreement that incorporates these Terms by reference, the following terms have the meanings below:

"Enclave" means a secure computing environment operated by a Data Organization that can run Enclave Research Software on Research Data and that connects to the Platform to enable research workflows. References to an Enclave are singular regardless of how many computing environments comprise it.

"Enclave Research Software" means software written by researchers that runs inside an Enclave to process Research Data in furtherance of approved research.

"Research Software" means Enclave Research Software.

"Approved Workflows" means the Platform-supported processes through which research code, analyses, and requests are submitted, reviewed, executed, and evaluated in connection with an approved Study.

"Research Outputs" means results, analyses, models, statistics, reports, visualizations, or other research artifacts generated through an approved Study and derived from Research Data, which may be released only after applicable disclosure control and Data Organization approval. Unless expressly authorized by a Study Agreement, Research Outputs do not include raw, identifiable, or reconstructable Research Data.

2. Roles and Relationships

SafeInsights supports a governed research ecosystem involving multiple participants with distinct roles and responsibilities. These Terms are intended to govern general access to and acceptable use of the SafeInsights Platform only. They do not establish, modify, or replace the rights and obligations set forth in signed organizational or study‑specific agreements.

Key roles and activities within the SafeInsights ecosystem include:

  • Data Organizations. Data Organizations are institutions or entities that control Research Data, data or datasets used in or made available for a Study, including related metadata and documentation, and have lawful authority to permit its use for research purposes. Data Organization participation, approvals, and data‑specific requirements are governed exclusively by executed Data Organization Participation Agreements and applicable Study Agreements.
  • Researchers and Research Organizations. Researchers, research labs, and their affiliated institutions may access the Platform and conduct research only pursuant to an executed Research Organization Participation Agreement and applicable Study Agreements, and subject to required training, approvals, and disclosure controls.
  • Authorized Users. Individual users—including researchers, Data Organization personnel, and reviewers—are granted role‑based access to the Platform only as approved under applicable agreements and acknowledgments.
  • Studies. Specific research projects (“Study” or “Studies”) are governed by Study Agreements that define permitted data use, safeguards, outputs, review requirements, and disclosure controls.

3. Eligibility & Access

To access more than the public portion of the SafeInsights Platform, you must be a registered user of the Platform and may be required to comply with additional SafeInsights agreements and terms.

Demo and Sandbox Access means limited access to certain SafeInsights platform features for evaluation, demonstration, training, or familiarization purposes, using wholly fabricated, synthetic, or simulated data. Demo and Sandbox Access does not involve data or datasets used in or made available for a Study, including related metadata and documentation (“Research Data”) or Studies; does not authorize the conduct of any specific Study; and does not create any rights, expectations, or priority with respect to future access, eligibility, or participation in SafeInsights. Demo and Sandbox Access does not require or imply execution of any Data Organization Participation Agreement, Research Organization Participation Agreement, or Study Agreement, and such participation may be modified, suspended, or terminated by SafeInsights at any time, and is governed exclusively by these Terms and the SafeInsights Privacy Notice.

SafeInsights supports studies and platform use involving children under 13 when authorized by a participating school/district/agency or by parental consent and permitted by executed agreement. Outside of school/district/agency or research‑agreement contexts, SafeInsights does not knowingly solicit or accept personal information from children under 13.

4. Account Registration & Security

You must provide accurate, current account information and keep it updated. You may not impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent affiliation or your physical location.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of credentials and all activity under your account. Credential sharing is prohibited. Notify SafeInsights at security@safeinsights.org promptly of suspected unauthorized access.

5. Acceptable Use

When accessing or using the Platform, you agree not to:

  • Use the Platform for any unlawful, fraudulent, or exploitative purpose.
  • Gain unauthorized access to personal data or systems.
  • Share access credentials, or submit unreviewed, malicious, or data-exfiltrating code.
  • Remove or alter proprietary notices, or attempt to decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or otherwise tamper with the Platform.
  • Defeat or circumvent encryption, security measures, or technological controls; upload malware or any code intended to disrupt or impair the Platform.
  • Train, fine-tune, or evaluate artificial intelligence (AI) using content, data, or outputs unless expressly authorized.
  • Scrape, probe, or bypass rate limits or access controls.
  • Infringe intellectual property, violate any law, applicable organizational policy, or these Terms, or impair the operation of the Platform or its infrastructure.

You may only use data accessed via SafeInsights in accordance with applicable agreements. SafeInsights may suspend or terminate your access immediately if it determines or suspects misuse.

You are responsible for all material submitted through your account, including its legality, reliability, appropriateness, originality, and copyright. By uploading or downloading material, you represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights and that, to your knowledge, your content does not infringe or violate the rights of any person or entity.

6. Data Use & Analytics

SafeInsights processes limited Platform-level Personal Data, such as account profile, role assignments, identity provider assertions, authentication events, audit logs, and security telemetry, to operate, secure, and improve the Service.

SafeInsights does not collect or centrally store research datasets and cannot respond to rights requests concerning those datasets. Rights and inquiries regarding research data must be directed to the Data Organization that makes that data available for research.

See our Privacy Notice for details on Platform-level Personal Data processing, retention, international transfers, and data subject rights routing.

7. Third-Party Links & Tools

The Platform may link to or integrate third-party sites, services, or tools. We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for third-party content, practices, or policies. Your interactions with third parties are solely between you and them.

8. AI Features & Chatbots

SafeInsights may provide AI-assisted tools, including customer support chatbots and research workflow assistants. These features are designed to offer guidance and improve usability; they do not make binding or consequential decisions and do not access Data Organization systems or Research Data.

When you use a support chatbot, you are interacting with an automated tool. You may opt out or request human assistance at any time by contacting support through the channels listed in these Terms.

Information processed by AI features may include the text and attachments you submit, technical details, and account identifiers necessary to route your request and improve support quality. We do not use chatbot interactions for advertising or commercial profiling.

We use operational logs to maintain and improve AI features. We do not use identifiable support chat transcripts or user submissions to train general-purpose foundation models unless you explicitly opt in. Where de-identified or aggregated data is used for improvement, we take reasonable measures to prevent re-identification and require downstream recipients, if any, to follow the same commitments.

Where AI-related laws apply, SafeInsights will implement required notices, risk assessments, and provide human review or appeal mechanisms as applicable.

9. Fees

Certain services may have access or usage fees disclosed in a quotation, order, project proposal, or service schedule. Payment is due prior to activation unless otherwise agreed. Nonpayment may result in denial or suspension of access. Fees and payment terms in any executed agreement prevail within their scope.

10. Export Controls & Sanctions

You must comply with all applicable U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and U.S. economic sanctions administered by OFAC. SafeInsights may restrict, suspend, or terminate access where required by export or sanctions laws, or where a user or institution is subject to embargoes, sanctions, or restricted-party listings.

11. Intellectual Property and Content

Platform IP. The SafeInsights platform (excluding third‑party and open‑source components), proprietary documentation, user interfaces, and Rice University names, logos, and trademarks (“Marks”) are owned by Rice University or its licensors. Except for the limited access rights granted in these Terms, all rights are reserved.

Open‑source & third‑party. SafeInsights includes components and materials licensed by their respective owners. Rice University does not claim ownership of those items; use is subject to the applicable licenses and notices.

Materials provided by Data Organizations or third parties and materials you submit remain the property of their respective owners, subject to applicable agreements. By submitting materials, you grant SafeInsights a limited, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to host, run, display, and security‑scan them solely to operate and secure the Service; this license ends when the materials are deleted, subject to reasonable backup and audit‑log retention. SafeInsights does not centrally collect or store research datasets.

Feedback. If you provide suggestions, you grant Rice University a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty‑free license to use and incorporate them.

Marks. You may not use Rice University’s Marks without prior written consent. No implied licenses are granted.

12. Audit, Monitoring & Security

SafeInsights may log and monitor access, submissions, and interactions to support security and research integrity. We may conduct light-touch audits as permitted in organizational/study agreements, and we may limit, suspend, or revoke access to protect the Platform, data, or users.

Report suspected vulnerabilities or incidents to security@safeinsights.org. Do not publicly disclose potential vulnerabilities without coordinating through SafeInsights.

13. Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PLATFORM AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE,” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS.” WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT YOUR ACTIVITIES OR USE OF THE SERVICES IS LAWFUL IN ANY PARTICULAR JURISDICTION, OR THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE CONTINUOUS, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY ABOUT THE SECURITY OR SAFETY OF THE SERVICES OR ABOUT THE ACCURACY, AVAILABILITY, RELIABILITY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS, SUITABILITY, OR TIMELINESS OF THE SERVICES (OR ANY STATISTICS, RESULTS, OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICES). THE SERVICES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR CLINICAL, MEDICAL, OR PRODUCTION DECISION-MAKING. YOU ASSUME ALL RISK FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM OBTAINING OR USING THE SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ANY VIRUS, WORM, SPYWARE, TROJAN PROGRAMS, TIME BOMBS, OR OTHER MALWARE.

14. Indemnification

You agree, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to any statutory limitations, to be responsible for and, if requested, indemnify Rice University and its trustees, officers, employees, and agents from third-party claims, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from:

(i) your material breach of these Terms or applicable organizational/study agreements;

(ii) your violation of law;

(iii) your infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property; or

(iv) your security misuse or unauthorized access.

If you are a governmental or public entity, this section applies only to the extent permitted by the laws and constitution of your jurisdiction, and nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any immunities, defenses, or limitations of liability available to you under applicable law.

15. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RICE UNIVERSITY WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR DATA). OUR TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS WILL NOT EXCEED (a) USD $100 OR (b) THE FEES YOU PAID TO SAFEINSIGHTS FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

The foregoing limitations do not apply to liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or violations of law that cannot be limited by contract.

If you are party to an executed Data Organization Participation Agreement or Research Organization Participation Agreement, the liability limitations, if any, in those agreements prevail within their scope.

Nothing herein limits liability that cannot be limited by law, and these Terms preserve all immunities and defenses available to charitable/nonprofit institutions under applicable law.

16. Governing Law; Venue; Dispute Resolution

a. Governing Law and Venue. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. Venue for permitted court actions is in state or federal courts located in Harris County, Texas.

b. Arbitration. Except for claims governed by a signed organizational agreement, disputes will be resolved by final, binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA):

For consumer users, the AAA Consumer Rules apply.

For organizational or non-consumer users, the AAA Commercial Rules apply.

Rice University will comply with the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules and the AAA Consumer Due Process Protocol. If AAA declines administration, either party may proceed in an appropriate court.

c. Class-Action Waiver. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BOTH PARTIES WAIVE THE RIGHT TO PROCEED IN A CLASS ACTION OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION, OR AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY.

For consumers resident in the EU or UK, nothing in these Terms limits statutory consumer rights. To the extent mandatory local law prohibits arbitration or class-action waivers, those provisions do not apply to such consumers; disputes may be brought in the consumer’s local courts.

The following are not subject to arbitration: (a) disputes covered by a signed agreement with a different dispute-resolution clause; (b) individual actions in small-claims court for claims ≤ USD $5,000; and (c) applications for temporary or permanent injunctive relief to protect intellectual property, trade secrets, prevent scraping, or address security breaches.

You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by emailing legal@safeinsights.org with the subject “Opt-Out of Arbitration.” Opting out does not affect other provisions of these Terms.

Any claim must be filed within one (1) year after it accrues or is permanently barred.

17. Modifications; Suspension; Termination

We may update these Terms from time to time. For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days’ advance notice by email to your account’s primary contact and/or by posting a prominent in-product or website notice. The 30-day notice period begins on the date we first send or post the notice (“Notice Date”). The updated Terms take effect on the Effective Date stated in the notice, which will be no sooner than 30 days after the Notice Date. Continued use of the Service on or after the Effective Date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use before the Effective Date. Non-material changes may take effect upon posting. We will maintain an archive of prior versions and their Effective Dates.

We may suspend, change, or terminate your access immediately and without notice for: (a) breach of these Terms; (b) legal or regulatory requirement; (c) Platform discontinuation or material modification; (d) security concerns; or (e) inactivity.

Upon termination, we may retain Platform logs and account records for security, research integrity, and legal compliance. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination or expiration will survive, including those addressing intellectual property, confidentiality, disclaimers of warranties, limitation of liability, indemnification, dispute resolution, order of precedence, and severability.

18. Order of Precedence

To the extent of any conflict, the following order of precedence applies, each within its scope: (1) a fully executed Study Agreement controls matters specific to that Study; (2) a Data Organization Participation Agreement controls Data Organization–level governance and data-handling commitments; (3) a Research Organization Participation Agreement controls Research Organization conduct and eligibility; (4) these Terms govern general Platform access and acceptable use; and (5) the SafeInsights Privacy Notice governs Platform-level Personal Data.

For clarity, Demo and Sandbox Access is governed exclusively by these Terms and the Privacy Notice and does not require or create any signed agreement, including a Research Organization Participation Agreement or Data Organization Participation Agreement.

19. Assignment; Force Majeure; Severability; Entire Agreement; Waiver

You may not assign these Terms without Rice University's prior written consent. We may assign to a successor in interest to Rice University’s SafeInsights operations.

Neither party is liable for failures caused by events beyond reasonable control.

If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

These Terms constitute the entire agreement concerning Platform access, except where an organizational or study-specific agreement applies. No waiver is effective unless in writing.

20. Notices; Contact

Legal Notices / Questions:

Rice University

6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA

Email: legal@safeinsights.org