diff --git a/app/models/map.rb b/app/models/map.rb
index 8bca3b30..87019d2a 100644
--- a/app/models/map.rb
+++ b/app/models/map.rb
@@ -107,14 +107,6 @@ class Map < ActiveRecord::Base
   	end
   	return self
   end
-  
-  # returns Boolean if user allowed to view Topic, Synapse, or Map
-  def authorize_to_view(user)  
-  	if (self.permission == "private" && self.user != user)
-  		return false
-  	end
-  	return true
-  end
 
   def decode_base64(imgBase64)
     decoded_data = Base64.decode64(imgBase64)
diff --git a/app/models/synapse.rb b/app/models/synapse.rb
index 2745106f..943c8635 100644
--- a/app/models/synapse.rb
+++ b/app/models/synapse.rb
@@ -48,13 +48,4 @@ class Synapse < ActiveRecord::Base
     end
     return false
   end
-  
-  # returns Boolean if user allowed to view Topic, Synapse, or Map
-  def authorize_to_view(user)  
-	if (self.permission == "private" && self.user != user)
-		return false
-	end
-	return true
-  end
-
 end
diff --git a/app/models/topic.rb b/app/models/topic.rb
index 8bac9606..6f694868 100644
--- a/app/models/topic.rb
+++ b/app/models/topic.rb
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class Topic < ActiveRecord::Base
   def has_viewable_synapses(current)
   	result = false
   	synapses.each do |synapse|
-  		if synapse.authorize_to_view(current)
+  		if synapse.authorize_to_show(current)
   			result = true
   		end
   	end
@@ -111,12 +111,4 @@ class Topic < ActiveRecord::Base
     end
     return false
   end
-  
-  # returns Boolean if user allowed to view Topic, Synapse, or Map
-  def authorize_to_view(user)  
-	if (self.permission == "private" && self.user != user)
-		return false
-	end
-	return true
-  end
 end