1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a request to access a digital content item that includes multiple portions, the request including a content identifier associated with the digital content item; identifying, in response to the request, access polices for the digital content item based on the content identifier, the access policies including multiple access controls associated with the multiple portions of the digital content item, the access policies associating each access control with a respective portion of the digital content item, wherein each access control includes a portion identifier corresponding to the respective portion and zero or more permissions to the respective portion; and enabling access to a first portion of the digital content item by providing at least one permission to the first portion specified by a first access control, the first access control comprising a first portion identifier corresponding to the first portion of the digital content item.