Data visiting is a form of data sharing in which analyses are conducted on shared data within the computing environment of the data provider, either through human or computational agents. Unlike traditional data-sharing approaches that require transferring large datasets across entities—and often across international borders—data visiting allows researchers, including analysts and machine learning algorithms, to perform analyses directly within the provider’s secure online environment. While this model offers security advantages, its implementation presents legal, technical, and governance challenges that vary across jurisdictions.  

At present, our insight into different models of data visiting is limited. This meeting will bring the GA4GH community together for an initial discussion to map out existing approaches, identify key challenges, and explore possible frameworks for data visiting agreements. Additionally, we will introduce plans for interviews with stakeholders to better understand the needs and expectations of the genomics research community. The findings from these interviews will serve as a foundation for legal research and the development of practical, legal, and ethical guidance that is globally relevant and responsive to the realities of diverse stakeholders.