Which of the following is true about asset distribution via a portal?

The statement that external users must not edit metadata is correct because it typically aligns with best practices for managing digital assets in a controlled environment like a portal. This restriction is important for maintaining the integrity and consistency of metadata, which plays a crucial role in how assets are organized, searched, and retrieved. Allowing external users to edit metadata could lead to confusion, errors, and a violation of the established data governance policies. This ensures that only authorized users, likely internal staff who understand the context and importance of the metadata, can make changes.

In contrast, the other statements present ideas that may not reflect widespread practices or policies. For instance, metadata editing being essential for all users is not typically the case, as internal policies may vary significantly and do not always require all users to modify metadata. Similarly, the notion that users can search for assets without restrictions is misleading; search capabilities are often tailored based on user roles and permissions to maintain security and relevance. Lastly, the idea that downloading is prohibited for external users can vary based on organizational policies and the specific use case of the portal, as some external partners may indeed require limited access to download specific assets under controlled conditions.