The viability of our economy and functioning of our society can be enhanced by sharing of available information. To ease replication, foster an attitude of openness, and insure honesty, several social science journals now require access to methods and data underlying reported research. Problems arise when legitimate information needs conflict with values and rules concerning the privacy of individuals. This symposium explored the nature of data access problems and searched for ways to lesson conflict. Young described how the Western Agricultural Economics Association policy on data access has worked and noted unresolved areas of tension. Caudill explained the NASS confidentiality procedures, publication policies, and options for data sharing access. He discussed means of broadening data use including statistical or research enclaves, informed consent of survey respondents, artificial or masked microdata sets, and research fellowships. Duncan discussed progress to date on a major panel study by the Committee on National Statistics concerning confidentiality and data access. He discussed earlier work, outlined goals for the study, and described procedures being used.