Configuring consent policies using attributes

This page describes how to configure consent policies and attributes.

Consent policies are used by the Consent Management API to represent consent granted by an end-user or through an organizational guideline. Consent policies are the building blocks of consent resources. Each consent resource can contain up to 10 consent policies. A consent policy consists of RESOURCE attributes that describe what the policy applies to, and REQUEST attributes that define an authorization rule that determines under what conditions the policy is valid. For more information on consent policies, see Policy representation.

The Consent Management API uses attributes to define the consent and privacy taxonomy that a consent store can understand. Attributes are used to describe the consents being stored and the data that is being managed. Access determination requests also use attributes to describe the requests that are being made.

The attributeDefinition resources are the resources within a consent store that determine what consent attributes the Consent Management API can process. A consent store can contain up to 200 attribute definition resources. Each attribute definition has one of the following attribute types:

  • A RESOURCE attribute is an attribute whose value is determined by the properties of the data or action. For example, whether data is de-identified or identifiable. This type of attribute is used to describe what a consent policy applies to, to describe data registered with user data mappings, and to narrow the scope of some access determination requests to specific classes of resources.
  • A REQUEST attribute is an attribute whose value is determined by requester's identity or purpose. For example, professions that are consented for use, such as researchers or care providers. This type of attribute is used to write the authorization rule of a consent policy, and to specify the proposed use in an access determination request.

An attributeDefinition resource represents a single attribute with up to 500 attribute values. Attribute values represent the possible values that an attribute can have. For an example, see Policy representation.

Additional attribute values can be added to an attribute definition over time, but cannot be removed. Referential integrity of attribute definitions is enforced as related to consent resources. This means that some fields of an attribute definition cannot be changed or deleted while that attribute definition is being referenced by the latest revision of a consent resource.

The following diagram shows the process for creating consent attributes in a new consent store:

attribute definitions

To create all the attribute definitions that your consent and privacy taxonomy requires, repeat the process shown in Creating a RESOURCE attribute definition and Creating a REQUEST attribute definition.

Creating a RESOURCE attribute definition

To create a RESOURCE attribute definition, use the projects.locations.datasets.consentStores.attributeDefinitions.create method. Make a POST request and specify the following information in the request:

  • The name of the parent consent store.
  • A name for the attribute definition that's unique in the parent consent store. The name can be any lower or upper case letter, numbers, and underscores. It must not be a reserved keyword within the Common Expression Language (CEL).
  • The category of the attribute, in this case RESOURCE
  • The possible values that this attribute can represent
  • An access token

curl

The following sample shows a POST request using curl that creates a RESOURCE attribute named data_identifiable with values identifiable and de-identified:

curl -X POST \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $(gcloud auth application-default print-access-token)" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/consent+json; charset=utf-8" \
    --data "{
      'description': 'whether the data is identifiable',
      'category': 'RESOURCE',
      'allowed_values': [
        'identifiable',
        'de-identified'
      ],
    }" \
"https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions?attribute_definition_id=data_identifiable"

If the request is successful, the server returns a response similar to the following sample in JSON format:

{
  "name": "projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/data_identifiable",
    "description": "whether the data is identifiable",
    "category": "RESOURCE",
    "allowedValues": [
      "identifiable",
      "de-identified"
    ]
}

PowerShell

The following sample shows a POST request using Windows PowerShell that creates a RESOURCE attribute named data_identifiable with values identifiable and de-identified:

$cred = gcloud auth application-default print-access-token
$headers = @{ Authorization = "Bearer $cred" }

Invoke-WebRequest `
  -Method Post `
  -Headers $headers `
  -ContentType: "application/consent+json; charset=utf-8" `
  -Body "{
      'description': 'whether the data is identifiable',
      'category': 'RESOURCE',
      'allowed_values': [
        'identifiable',
        'de-identified'
      ]
    }" `
  -Uri "https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions?attribute_definition_id=data_identifiable" | Select-Object -Expand Content

If the request is successful, the server returns a response similar to the following sample in JSON format:

{
  "name": "projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/data_identifiable",
    "description": "whether the data is identifiable",
    "category": "RESOURCE",
    "allowedValues": [
      "identifiable",
      "de-identified"
    ]
}

Python

def create_resource_attribute_definition(
    project_id: str,
    location: str,
    dataset_id: str,
    consent_store_id: str,
    resource_attribute_definition_id: str,
):
    """Creates a RESOURCE attribute definition. A RESOURCE attribute is an attribute whose value is
    determined by the properties of the data or action.

    See https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/python-docs-samples/tree/main/healthcare/api-client/v1/consent
    before running the sample."""
    # Imports the Google API Discovery Service.
    from googleapiclient import discovery

    api_version = "v1"
    service_name = "healthcare"
    # Returns an authorized API client by discovering the Healthcare API
    # and using GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable.
    client = discovery.build(service_name, api_version)

    # TODO(developer): Uncomment these lines and replace with your values.
    # project_id = 'my-project'  # replace with your GCP project ID
    # location = 'us-central1'  # replace with the parent dataset's location
    # dataset_id = 'my-dataset'  # replace with the FHIR store's parent dataset ID
    # consent_store_id = 'my-consent-store'  # replace with the consent store's ID
    # resource_attribute_definition_id = 'requester_identity'  # replace with the attribute definition ID
    consent_store_parent = (
        "projects/{}/locations/{}/datasets/{}/consentStores/{}".format(
            project_id, location, dataset_id, consent_store_id
        )
    )

    body = {
        "description": "whether the data is identifiable",
        "category": "RESOURCE",
        "allowed_values": ["identifiable", "de-identified"],
    }

    request = (
        client.projects()
        .locations()
        .datasets()
        .consentStores()
        .attributeDefinitions()
        .create(
            parent=consent_store_parent,
            body=body,
            attributeDefinitionId=resource_attribute_definition_id,
        )
    )

    response = request.execute()
    print(f"Created RESOURCE attribute definition: {response}")

    return response

Creating a REQUEST attribute definition

To create a REQUEST attribute definition, use the projects.locations.datasets.consentStores.attributeDefinitions.create method. Make a POST request and specify the following information in the request:

  • The name of the parent consent store.
  • A name for the attribute definition that's unique in the parent consent store. The name can be any Unicode string of 1 to 256 characters consisting of numbers, letters, underscores, dashes, and periods but it can't start with a number.
  • The category of the attribute, in this case REQUEST.
  • The possible values that this attribute can represent.
  • An optional set of default values that will be applied to consent policies. Setting a value for this field will configure your consent store to assume consent policies include this attribute and value if this attribute is not otherwise specified in that policy. This field should only be set if specifically required for your use-case.
  • An access token.

curl

The following sample shows a POST request using curl that creates a REQUEST attribute named requester_identity:

curl -X POST \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $(gcloud auth application-default print-access-token)" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/consent+json; charset=utf-8" \
    --data "{
      'description': 'what groups are consented for access',
      'category': 'REQUEST',
      'allowed_values': ['internal-researcher', 'external-researcher', 'clinical-admin'],
    }" \
"https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions?attribute_definition_id=requester_identity"

If the request is successful, the server returns a response similar to the following sample in JSON format:

{
  "name": "projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/requester_identity",
    "description": "what groups are consented for access",
    "category": "REQUEST",
    "allowedValues": [
      "internal-researcher",
      "external-researcher",
      "clinical-admin"
    ]
}

PowerShell

The following sample shows a POST request using Windows PowerShell that creates a REQUEST attribute named requester_identity:

$cred = gcloud auth application-default print-access-token
$headers = @{ Authorization = "Bearer $cred" }

Invoke-WebRequest `
  -Method Post `
  -Headers $headers `
  -ContentType: "application/consent+json; charset=utf-8" `
  -Body "{
      'description': 'what groups are consented for access',
      'category': 'REQUEST',
      'allowed_values': ['internal-researcher', 'external-researcher', 'clinical-admin']
    }" `
  -Uri "https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions?attribute_definition_id=requester_identity" | Select-Object -Expand Content

If the request is successful, the server returns a response similar to the following sample in JSON format:

{
  "name": "projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/requester_identity",
    "description": "what groups are consented for access",
    "category": "REQUEST",
    "allowedValues": [
      "internal-researcher",
      "external-researcher",
      "clinical-admin"
    ]
}

Python

def create_request_attribute_definition(
    project_id: str,
    location: str,
    dataset_id: str,
    consent_store_id: str,
    request_attribute_definition_id: str,
):
    """Creates a REQUEST attribute definition. A REQUEST attribute is an attribute whose value is determined
    by the requester's identity or purpose.

    See https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/python-docs-samples/tree/main/healthcare/api-client/v1/consent
    before running the sample."""
    # Imports the Google API Discovery Service.
    from googleapiclient import discovery

    api_version = "v1"
    service_name = "healthcare"
    # Returns an authorized API client by discovering the Healthcare API
    # and using GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable.
    client = discovery.build(service_name, api_version)

    # TODO(developer): Uncomment these lines and replace with your values.
    # project_id = 'my-project'  # replace with your GCP project ID
    # location = 'us-central1'  # replace with the parent dataset's location
    # dataset_id = 'my-dataset'  # replace with the FHIR store's parent dataset ID
    # consent_store_id = 'my-consent-store'  # replace with the consent store's ID
    # request_attribute_definition_id = 'requester_identity'  # replace with the request attribute definition ID
    consent_store_parent = (
        "projects/{}/locations/{}/datasets/{}/consentStores/{}".format(
            project_id, location, dataset_id, consent_store_id
        )
    )

    body = {
        "description": "what groups are consented for access",
        "category": "REQUEST",
        "allowed_values": [
            "internal-researcher",
            "external-researcher",
            "clinical-admin",
        ],
    }

    request = (
        client.projects()
        .locations()
        .datasets()
        .consentStores()
        .attributeDefinitions()
        .create(
            parent=consent_store_parent,
            body=body,
            attributeDefinitionId=request_attribute_definition_id,
        )
    )

    response = request.execute()
    print(f"Created REQUEST attribute definition: {response}")

    return response

Edit an attribute definition

REST

Before using any of the request data, make the following replacements:

  • PROJECT_ID: the ID of your Google Cloud project
  • LOCATION: the dataset location
  • DATASET_ID: the dataset ID
  • CONSENT_STORE_ID: the consent store ID
  • ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID: the attribute definition ID
  • DESCRIPTION: a description of the attribute

Request JSON body:

{
  "description": "DESCRIPTION"
}

To send your request, choose one of these options:

curl

Save the request body in a file named request.json. Run the following command in the terminal to create or overwrite this file in the current directory:

cat > request.json << 'EOF'
{
  "description": "DESCRIPTION"
}
EOF

Then execute the following command to send your REST request:

curl -X PATCH \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $(gcloud auth print-access-token)" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json; charset=utf-8" \
-d @request.json \
"https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID?updateMask=description"

PowerShell

Save the request body in a file named request.json. Run the following command in the terminal to create or overwrite this file in the current directory:

@'
{
  "description": "DESCRIPTION"
}
'@  | Out-File -FilePath request.json -Encoding utf8

Then execute the following command to send your REST request:

$cred = gcloud auth print-access-token
$headers = @{ "Authorization" = "Bearer $cred" }

Invoke-WebRequest `
-Method PATCH `
-Headers $headers `
-ContentType: "application/json; charset=utf-8" `
-InFile request.json `
-Uri "https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID?updateMask=description" | Select-Object -Expand Content

APIs Explorer

Copy the request body and open the method reference page. The APIs Explorer panel opens on the right side of the page. You can interact with this tool to send requests. Paste the request body in this tool, complete any other required fields, and click Execute.

You should receive a JSON response similar to the following:

Python

def patch_attribute_definition(
    project_id: str,
    location: str,
    dataset_id: str,
    consent_store_id: str,
    attribute_definition_id: str,
    description: str,
):
    """Updates the attribute definition.
    See https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/python-docs-samples/tree/main/healthcare/api-client/v1/consent
    before running the sample."""
    # Imports the Google API Discovery Service.
    from googleapiclient import discovery

    api_version = "v1"
    service_name = "healthcare"
    # Returns an authorized API client by discovering the Healthcare API
    # and using GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable.
    client = discovery.build(service_name, api_version)

    # TODO(developer): Uncomment these lines and replace with your values.
    # project_id = 'my-project'  # replace with your GCP project ID
    # location = 'us-central1'  # replace with the parent dataset's location
    # dataset_id = 'my-dataset'  # replace with the consent store's parent dataset ID
    # consent_store_id = 'my-consent-store'  # replace with the consent store's ID
    # attribute_definition_id = 'requester_identity'  # replace with the attribute definition ID
    # description = 'whether the data is identifiable'  # replace with a description of the attribute
    attribute_definition_parent = (
        "projects/{}/locations/{}/datasets/{}/consentStores/{}".format(
            project_id, location, dataset_id, consent_store_id
        )
    )
    attribute_definition_name = "{}/attributeDefinitions/{}".format(
        attribute_definition_parent, attribute_definition_id
    )

    # Updates
    patch = {"description": description}

    request = (
        client.projects()
        .locations()
        .datasets()
        .consentStores()
        .attributeDefinitions()
        .patch(name=attribute_definition_name, updateMask="description", body=patch)
    )

    response = request.execute()
    print(
        "Patched attribute definition {} with new description: {}".format(
            attribute_definition_id, description
        )
    )

    return response

Get an attribute definition

REST

Before using any of the request data, make the following replacements:

  • PROJECT_ID: the ID of your Google Cloud project
  • LOCATION: the dataset location
  • DATASET_ID: the dataset ID
  • CONSENT_STORE_ID: the consent store ID
  • ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID: the attribute definition ID

To send your request, choose one of these options:

curl

Execute the following command:

curl -X GET \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $(gcloud auth print-access-token)" \
"https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID"

PowerShell

Execute the following command:

$cred = gcloud auth print-access-token
$headers = @{ "Authorization" = "Bearer $cred" }

Invoke-WebRequest `
-Method GET `
-Headers $headers `
-Uri "https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID" | Select-Object -Expand Content

APIs Explorer

Open the method reference page. The APIs Explorer panel opens on the right side of the page. You can interact with this tool to send requests. Complete any required fields and click Execute.

You should receive a JSON response similar to the following:

Python

def get_attribute_definition(
    project_id: str,
    location: str,
    dataset_id: str,
    consent_store_id: str,
    attribute_definition_id: str,
):
    """Gets the specified attribute definition.
    See https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/python-docs-samples/tree/main/healthcare/api-client/v1/consent
    before running the sample."""
    # Imports the Google API Discovery Service.
    from googleapiclient import discovery

    api_version = "v1"
    service_name = "healthcare"
    # Returns an authorized API client by discovering the Healthcare API
    # and using GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable.
    client = discovery.build(service_name, api_version)

    # TODO(developer): Uncomment these lines and replace with your values.
    # project_id = 'my-project'  # replace with your GCP project ID
    # location = 'us-central1'  # replace with the parent dataset's location
    # dataset_id = 'my-dataset'  # replace with the consent store's parent dataset ID
    # consent_store_id = 'my-consent-store'  # replace with the consent store's ID
    # attribute_definition_id = 'data_identifiable'  # replace with the attribute definition ID
    consent_store_parent = (
        "projects/{}/locations/{}/datasets/{}/consentStores/{}".format(
            project_id, location, dataset_id, consent_store_id
        )
    )
    attribute_definition_name = "{}/attributeDefinitions/{}".format(
        consent_store_parent, attribute_definition_id
    )

    request = (
        client.projects()
        .locations()
        .datasets()
        .consentStores()
        .attributeDefinitions()
        .get(name=attribute_definition_name)
    )

    response = request.execute()
    print(f"Got attribute definition: {attribute_definition_id}")
    return response

List attribute definitions

REST

Before using any of the request data, make the following replacements:

  • PROJECT_ID: the ID of your Google Cloud project
  • LOCATION: the dataset location
  • DATASET_ID: the dataset ID
  • CONSENT_STORE_ID: the consent store ID

To send your request, choose one of these options:

curl

Execute the following command:

curl -X GET \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $(gcloud auth print-access-token)" \
"https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions"

PowerShell

Execute the following command:

$cred = gcloud auth print-access-token
$headers = @{ "Authorization" = "Bearer $cred" }

Invoke-WebRequest `
-Method GET `
-Headers $headers `
-Uri "https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions" | Select-Object -Expand Content

APIs Explorer

Open the method reference page. The APIs Explorer panel opens on the right side of the page. You can interact with this tool to send requests. Complete any required fields and click Execute.

You should receive a JSON response similar to the following:

Python

def list_attribute_definitions(
    project_id: str, location: str, dataset_id: str, consent_store_id: str
):
    """Lists the attribute definitions in the given consent store.
    See https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/python-docs-samples/tree/main/healthcare/api-client/v1/consent
    before running the sample."""
    # Imports the Google API Discovery Service.
    from googleapiclient import discovery

    api_version = "v1"
    service_name = "healthcare"
    # Returns an authorized API client by discovering the Healthcare API
    # and using GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable.
    client = discovery.build(service_name, api_version)

    # TODO(developer): Uncomment these lines and replace with your values.
    # project_id = 'my-project'  # replace with your GCP project ID
    # location = 'us-central1'  # replace with the parent dataset's location
    # dataset_id = 'my-dataset'  # replace with the consent store's parent dataset ID
    # consent_store_id = 'my-consent-store'  # replace with the consent store ID
    attribute_definition_parent = (
        "projects/{}/locations/{}/datasets/{}/consentStores/{}".format(
            project_id, location, dataset_id, consent_store_id
        )
    )

    attribute_definitions = (
        client.projects()
        .locations()
        .datasets()
        .consentStores()
        .attributeDefinitions()
        .list(parent=attribute_definition_parent)
        .execute()
        .get("attributeDefinitions", [])
    )

    for attribute_definition in attribute_definitions:
        print(attribute_definition)

    return attribute_definitions

Delete an attribute definition

REST

Before using any of the request data, make the following replacements:

  • PROJECT_ID: the ID of your Google Cloud project
  • LOCATION: the dataset location
  • DATASET_ID: the dataset ID
  • CONSENT_STORE_ID: the consent store ID
  • ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID: the attribute definition ID

To send your request, choose one of these options:

curl

Execute the following command:

curl -X DELETE \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $(gcloud auth print-access-token)" \
"https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID"

PowerShell

Execute the following command:

$cred = gcloud auth print-access-token
$headers = @{ "Authorization" = "Bearer $cred" }

Invoke-WebRequest `
-Method DELETE `
-Headers $headers `
-Uri "https://healthcare.googleapis.com/v1/projects/PROJECT_ID/locations/LOCATION/datasets/DATASET_ID/consentStores/CONSENT_STORE_ID/attributeDefinitions/ATTRIBUTE_DEFINITION_ID" | Select-Object -Expand Content

APIs Explorer

Open the method reference page. The APIs Explorer panel opens on the right side of the page. You can interact with this tool to send requests. Complete any required fields and click Execute.

You should receive a JSON response similar to the following:

Python

def delete_attribute_definition(
    project_id: str,
    location: str,
    dataset_id: str,
    consent_store_id: str,
    attribute_definition_id: str,
):
    """Deletes the specified attribute definition.
    See https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/python-docs-samples/tree/main/healthcare/api-client/v1/consent
    before running the sample."""
    # Imports the Google API Discovery Service.
    from googleapiclient import discovery

    api_version = "v1"
    service_name = "healthcare"
    # Returns an authorized API client by discovering the Healthcare API
    # and using GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS environment variable.
    client = discovery.build(service_name, api_version)

    # TODO(developer): Uncomment these lines and replace with your values.
    # project_id = 'my-project'  # replace with your GCP project ID
    # location = 'us-central1'  # replace with the parent dataset's location
    # dataset_id = 'my-dataset'  # replace with the consent store's parent dataset ID
    # consent_store_id = 'my-consent-store'  # replace with the consent store's ID
    # attribute_definition_id = 'data_identifiable'  # replace with the attribute definition ID
    consent_store_parent = (
        "projects/{}/locations/{}/datasets/{}/consentStores/{}".format(
            project_id, location, dataset_id, consent_store_id
        )
    )
    attribute_definition_name = "{}/attributeDefinitions/{}".format(
        consent_store_parent, attribute_definition_id
    )

    request = (
        client.projects()
        .locations()
        .datasets()
        .consentStores()
        .attributeDefinitions()
        .delete(name=attribute_definition_name)
    )

    response = request.execute()
    print(f"Deleted attribute definition: {attribute_definition_id}")
    return response