---
description: Using Pathogenwatch with private or confidential metadata
---

# Private Metadata

### Cluster and Collection View

The Cluster and Collection viewers both allow you to drop in a CSV file of metadata to add to the currently displayed annotation. The new annotation is not uploaded to the Pathogenwatch servers, but is kept entirely on you local machine. By setting the collection to off-line mode as well, it is possible to disconnect entirely from the internet while working with confidential information.

{% hint style="info" %}
Private metadata will not be shared if you set the collection to shared.
{% endhint %}

![](https://321039241-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LB6jV5PGtOeTCAE8S8I%2F-Lzg0RF1eQ0p-evX05Ez%2F-LzgAkyeJRQj4ApyVWmm%2Fprivate_metadata.png?alt=media\&token=e7316a44-3051-4371-9d3d-4a34da38a00f)
