diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d242c18..f37d88b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ Required arguments:
 
 Optional arguments:
 * chunk_size: default is 1
+* insecure: skip TLS certificate validation. default is `False`
 
 ## Setup
 Poetry needs to be installed before installing data simulator.
diff --git a/datasimulator/main.py b/datasimulator/main.py
index 5e0c0ad..3a88c55 100755
--- a/datasimulator/main.py
+++ b/datasimulator/main.py
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ def parse_arguments():
     submit_data_cmd.add_argument("--project", required=True)
     submit_data_cmd.add_argument("--chunk_size", default=1)
     submit_data_cmd.add_argument("--access_token_file", required=True)
+    submit_data_cmd.add_argument("--insecure", help="skip TLS certificate validation", action="store_true")
 
     return parser.parse_args()
 
@@ -169,6 +170,7 @@ def main():
             args.dir,
             args.access_token_file,
             int(args.chunk_size),
+            args.insecure,
         )
         logger.info("Done!")
         return
diff --git a/datasimulator/submit_data_utils.py b/datasimulator/submit_data_utils.py
index 562da08..5a7ab37 100644
--- a/datasimulator/submit_data_utils.py
+++ b/datasimulator/submit_data_utils.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 logger = get_logger("data-simulator submitting_data", log_level="info")
 
 
-def submit_test_data(host, project, dir, access_token_file, max_chunk_size=1):
+def submit_test_data(host, project, dir, access_token_file, max_chunk_size=1, insecure=False):
     """
     Submit the test data. `project` is in the format of `program/project`
     """
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ def submit_test_data(host, project, dir, access_token_file, max_chunk_size=1):
             "content-type": "application/json",
             "Authorization": "bearer " + token,
         },
+        verify=not insecure,
     )
 
     if response.status_code not in [200, 201]:
@@ -82,6 +83,7 @@ def submit_test_data(host, project, dir, access_token_file, max_chunk_size=1):
                         "content-type": "application/json",
                         "Authorization": "bearer " + token,
                     },
+                    verify=not insecure,
                 )
                 if response.status_code not in [200, 201]:
                     logger.error(
@@ -105,6 +107,7 @@ def submit_test_data(host, project, dir, access_token_file, max_chunk_size=1):
                         "content-type": "application/json",
                         "Authorization": "bearer " + token,
                     },
+                    verify=not insecure,
                 )
                 if response.status_code == 504:
                     chunk_size = chunk_size / 2