; (B) work with the third-party data manager to aggregate and analyze pipeline safety data and information submitted to the VIS that is related to issues and topics identified by the governing board; and (C) collaborate with the governing board to identify issues and topics for analysis and submit internal reports and recommendations to the governing board on the identified issues and topics. (5) Participation (A) Voluntary participation No person shall be required to participate in or submit data or information for inclusion in the VIS. (B) Prohibition The criteria and procedures established under paragraph (1)(E)(iv) shall prohibit the acceptance of data or information about an operator if the operator has not authorized the submission of the data or information. (C) Sharing of information The governing board shall encourage the voluntary sharing of pipeline safety data and information among participating entities. (c) Information sharing Pipeline safety data and information accepted for inclusion in the VIS shall be related to the issues and topics identified by the governing board to be analyzed by the issue analysis teams, including— (1) pipeline integrity risk analysis information; (2) lessons learned from accidents and near misses; (3) process improvements; (4) technology deployment practices; (5) information obtained through VIS pipeline safety surveys of pipeline operator employees, provided that such surveys are voluntarily agreed to by the pipeline operator