Microsoft Purview · Data Map Collections
Data Reader
Read-only access to data assets, classifications, glossary terms, and collections for data discovery and search.
Scope: Read-only access to collections where assigned as Data Reader
Permissions
- Search and browse data assets in assigned collections
- View asset metadata, descriptions, and business context
- Read classifications and sensitivity labels on assets
- Access business glossary terms and definitions
- View data lineage and asset relationships
- Read collection metadata and organizational structure
- View asset ownership and expert contact information
- Search for assets using filters, tags, and classifications
Common use cases
- Data analysts discovering datasets for analytical projects
- Business users finding data assets relevant to their work
- Compliance teams auditing data classification and governance
- Data scientists exploring available data for machine learning
- Developers identifying data sources for application integration
- Business intelligence teams discovering trusted data assets
- External auditors reviewing data governance implementation
Best practices
- Assign liberally to enable self-service data discovery across organization
- Combine with training on effective catalog search techniques
- Encourage users to reach out to data owners and experts listed in assets
- Use Data Reader as default role for most business users
- Grant at root collection level for broad discovery if appropriate
- Restrict to specific collections for sensitive data areas
Security considerations
- Minimal security risk - read-only access with no modification capabilities
- Can view asset metadata but not the actual data content
- Access to Azure/Fabric resources still governed by resource-level permissions
- Metadata visibility may reveal organizational data structure
- Assign at appropriate collection level to limit exposure