# PUBLIC_READ Access Setting for App Owned Metafields — Shopify developer changelog
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## PUBLIC_READ Access Setting for App Owned Metafields

As of the 2023-07 Admin API release, you can now apply a `PUBLIC_READ` access setting to your metafield definitions. If your metafield definition is `PUBLIC_READ`, this means:

*  The merchant can read the metafields on the definition.
*  All installed applications with proper access scopes can read the metafields on the definition.
*  Only the owner of the definition can write metafields.

This new setting builds upon the `PRIVATE`, `MERCHANT_READ`, and `MERCHANT_READ_WRITE` access settings [released in January 2023](https://shopify.dev/changelog/access-controls-for-app-metafields). 

Note that the `access` field can only be set when the definition is in your own [reserved namespace](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/custom-data/ownership#create-a-metafield-definition-under-a-reserved-namespace).

Learn more about [access controls](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/custom-data/ownership).

*Published: July 01, 2023*
Tags: API, Update
Link: https://shopify.dev/changelog/public_read-access-setting-for-app-owned-metafields

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