# Comment Permissions Access

Comment data is sensitive, so Compass gives you granular control over which users can access verbatim comments, AI-generated summaries, or both. Two separate permissions let you share AI insights with a broader audience while keeping raw comment text restricted to the people who need it.

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### How comment permissions work

Every Compass user has two comment-related permissions on their user profile, regardless of role:

* **View Verbatim Comments** grants access to raw comment text, the word cloud, and comment settings (sentiment analysis, dimension scoring, hidden words).
* **View AI Comment Summaries** grants access to the **Summary** tab (AI-generated strengths, opportunities, and suggestions) and the **Ask** tab (ask questions about comments using natural language).

<figure><img src="/files/CY1vC6qKHUfCE5mUSDiP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**AI must be enabled for your organization.** The **View AI Comment Summaries** checkbox only appears on user profiles when AI has been enabled for your organization. Contact your TalentMap Project Manager to enable AI.
{% endhint %}

These two permissions work independently. You can grant one, both, or neither depending on what each user needs to see.

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### Access by permission combination

| View Verbatim Comments | View AI Comment Summaries | What the user can access                                                                                                                             |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Checked**            | **Checked**               | All comment features: verbatim comments, word cloud, comment settings, **Summary** tab, **Ask** tab, and semantic search (Meaning) in the search bar |
| **Checked**            | **Unchecked**             | Verbatim comments, word cloud, comment settings, and semantic search (Meaning) in the search bar                                                     |
| **Unchecked**          | **Checked**               | **Summary** tab and **Ask** tab only. No access to verbatim comments, word cloud, comment settings, or semantic search (Meaning)                     |
| **Unchecked**          | **Unchecked**             | The **Comments** page does not appear in reports                                                                                                     |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Users with only AI Comment Summaries cannot see individual comments.** They see the AI-generated analysis but never the underlying verbatim text. This is useful for managers or executives who need high-level insights without access to raw feedback.
{% endhint %}

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### Configure comment permissions for a user

TalentMap Admins and Site Admins can update comment permissions for any user in their organization.

1. Navigate to **Admin** and select **Users**.
2. Click the name of the user you want to update.
3. Check or uncheck **View Verbatim Comments** and **View AI Comment Summaries** based on the access level you want to grant.
4. Click **Save**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Default for new AI enablement.** When AI is enabled for your organization, the **View AI Comment Summaries** permission is automatically checked for all existing users. You can uncheck it for any user who should not have access.
{% endhint %}

***

### What users see with AI-only access

When a user has **View AI Comment Summaries** checked but **View Verbatim Comments** unchecked, their **Comments** page shows only two tabs:

* **Summary** displays AI-generated strengths, opportunities, and suggestions for the selected dimension or question.
* **Ask** lets the user type natural language questions about comments and receive AI-generated answers.

<figure><img src="/files/FfCoSb58KyHN7gPVwQF6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The verbatim comments list, word cloud, comment settings, and the semantic search (Meaning) option in the search bar are all hidden for these users.

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### FAQ

#### Can I give a user access to AI summaries without showing them any comment text?

Yes. Check **View AI Comment Summaries** and leave **View Verbatim Comments** unchecked. The user sees only the **Summary** and **Ask** tabs with AI-generated analysis.

#### Why don't I see the View AI Comment Summaries checkbox on a user's profile?

AI is not enabled for your organization. Contact your TalentMap Project Manager to enable AI features.

#### Do I need to manually enable AI Comment Summaries for every user?

No. When AI is first enabled for your organization, all existing users automatically have **View AI Comment Summaries** checked. You only need to uncheck it for users who should not have access.

#### Can a user with AI-only access see which participant wrote a comment?

No. The AI summary and Ask features never display individual comments or any identifying information. They show aggregated, AI-generated analysis only.

***

### Troubleshooting

| Issue                                                                      | Likely cause                               | Resolution                                                                                                  |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| User cannot see the **Comments** page at all                               | Neither comment permission is checked      | Navigate to the user's profile in **Admin** > **Users** and check at least one comment permission.          |
| User sees verbatim comments but not the **Summary** or **Ask** tabs        | **View AI Comment Summaries** is unchecked | Check **View AI Comment Summaries** on the user's profile. Confirm AI is enabled for the organization.      |
| User sees **Summary** and **Ask** but not the word cloud or comment text   | **View Verbatim Comments** is unchecked    | This is working as intended. Check **View Verbatim Comments** if the user needs access to raw comment data. |
| **View AI Comment Summaries** checkbox does not appear on any user profile | AI is not enabled for the organization     | Contact your TalentMap Project Manager to enable AI.                                                        |

***

### Related Articles

* [Comment Summary & Suggestions](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/comments/ai-comment-analysis/comment-summary-and-suggestions.md)
* [Ask Comment Questions](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/comments/ai-comment-analysis/ask-comment-questions.md)
* [Managing Users and Permissions](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/permissions.md)


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