> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/confidentiality-and-permissions-in-compass.md). # Confidentiality and Permissions in Compass Compass protects individual participants two ways: confidentiality rules that stop small groups from being reported on, and permissions that control which users see which reports and demographic fields. This page shows how each control applies to each report, so you can answer "who can see what" with confidence. *** ## The controls * **Minimum group size.** No group can be reported on with fewer than **5 responses**. This applies to every report in Compass. * **Filter-similarity blocking.** For Snapshot reports, Compass tracks the last 5 reports each user ran. A new filter must differ by at least 5 respondents from each of them, or the Snapshot is blocked. See [How does report filter confidentiality work?](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/reporting-faq/how-does-report-filter-confidentiality-work.md). A Site Admin can remove this warning for a user when creating or editing them; the 5-response minimum still applies. See [Add a User](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/add-a-user.md). * **Restrict Access on demographic fields.** Hides a sensitive demographic field from Restricted Report Viewers in every report view, filter, and export, while HR and admins still see it. See [Hide Demographics from Restricted Users](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/results/general/hide-demographics-from-restricted-users.md). * **Assigned access.** Restricted Report Viewers see only the demographic group a Site Admin assigns to them. See [Assign Access](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/results/assign-access.md). * **Comment permissions.** Two user-level permissions, **View Verbatim Comments** and **View AI Comment Summaries**, control who reads participants' own words and who sees only AI analysis. See [Comment Permissions Access](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/comment-permissions-access.md). * **Comment settings.** Site Admins can hide words and phrases (replaced with three asterisks), set a minimum word count, and show a random sample of comments. See [Hide Words & Phrases](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/comments/comment-settings/hide-words-and-phrases.md) and [Minimum Words & Random Sample](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/comments/comment-settings/minimum-words-and-random-sample.md). * **Individual Reports.** When TalentMap enables this feature for a survey, each participant's full responses are identifiable. Confidentiality no longer applies to that survey. See [Individual Reports](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/general/individual-reports.md). *** ## How the controls apply by report | Report | Minimum group size (5) | Filter-similarity blocking | Restrict Access on demographics | Assigned access for Restricted Report Viewers | Other controls | | ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Snapshot** (webpage, PowerPoint, Excel) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | **Heatmap** (webpage, Excel) | Yes | Snapshot control only | Yes | Yes | Cells for groups below the minimum are not reported | | **Dashboard** (webpage, PowerPoint) | Yes | Snapshot control only | Yes | Yes | Ranked choice questions are not shown | | **Comments** (webpage, Excel, PDF) | Not separately documented | Snapshot control only | Yes | Yes, when comments are enabled for the user | View Verbatim Comments and View AI Comment Summaries permissions; hidden words and phrases; minimum words; random sample | | **Correlations** (webpage, Excel) | Requires at least 30 responses regardless of the minimum | Snapshot control only | Yes | Not available to Restricted Report Viewers | | | **Response Rate** (webpage, Excel) | Yes | Snapshot control only | Yes | Yes, when enabled for the user | | | **Individual Reports** (PDF) | Does not apply | Does not apply | Does not apply | Any user with access to the Participants page can download | TalentMap must enable the feature; participants should be told their responses are identifiable | | **360 reports** | Separate rules, see the 360 section | Does not apply | Does not apply | Does not apply | See [Anonymity and Confidentiality in 360](/knowledge-base/360-feedback/anonymity-and-confidentiality-in-360.md) | *** ## Who sees what | Role | Reports | Demographic fields | Comments | | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Site Admin** | All reports for all surveys, plus report configuration, user access, and assignment | All fields, including fields with Restrict Access ON | As set on their profile; can set comment permissions for other users | | **Survey Creator** | Creates and manages surveys, participants, and campaigns; report access as granted | As granted | As set on their profile | | **Report Viewer** | All report data made available to them | All fields | As set on their profile | | **Restricted Report Viewer** | Snapshot, Dashboard, and Heatmap for their assigned group by default, plus any additional reports a Site Admin enables | Fields with Restrict Access ON are hidden | Only if View Verbatim Comments or View AI Comment Summaries is checked | See [Permissions](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/permissions.md) for role definitions and [Add a User](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/add-a-user.md) for the steps. {% hint style="info" %} **Some tasks are TalentMap's.** Site Admin accounts are created by TalentMap, and Individual Reports are enabled by TalentMap. Ask your Project Manager when you need either. {% endhint %} *** ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a manager work out how one person answered by filtering? Not through the Snapshot report. Filter-similarity blocking stops a new filter from being returned when it differs from a recent report by fewer than 5 respondents, and no group under 5 responses is reported anywhere in Compass. ### Why is a cell empty in my heatmap? The group is below the 5-response minimum, or, in a previous period comparison, the demographic was not mapped to the previous survey. See [Heatmap Previous Period](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports/heatmap/heatmap-previous-period.md). ### Can I hide salary band from managers but keep it for HR? Yes. Toggle **Restrict Access** ON for the field. HR and admins still see it; Restricted Report Viewers do not. See [Hide Demographics from Restricted Users](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/results/general/hide-demographics-from-restricted-users.md). ### Can someone read AI comment summaries without seeing the comments themselves? Yes. Check **View AI Comment Summaries** and leave **View Verbatim Comments** unchecked. See [Comment Permissions Access](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/comment-permissions-access.md). ### Does enabling Individual Reports affect other surveys? No. TalentMap enables Individual Reports per survey. Confidentiality is removed only for that survey. *** ## Related Articles * [Compass Reports](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-reports) * [Permissions](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/users/permissions.md) * [Hide Demographics from Restricted Users](/knowledge-base/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/compass-admin/results/general/hide-demographics-from-restricted-users.md) * [Is the survey confidential?](/knowledge-base/step-3-pre-survey-communication-and-setup/pre-survey-faq/is-the-survey-confidential.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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