Systems and methods for controlling access to shared content in an online content management system, include receiving a request to access a content item from a requester, wherein the content item is stored in a synchronized online content management system. The example method then includes determining that the requester is in an approved list of requestors and granting access to the content item. In one variation, the request to access the content item includes activation of a shared link. In another variation, the request to access the content item includes access to a shared folder in the synchronized online content management system. In a third variation, determining that the requester is in an approved list of requesters includes determining that the requester is logged into a primary and secondary account, and that the requester is in an approved list for the secondary account.