What does the term "data sovereignty" mean?

• A. Data is subject to the laws of the country where it is located
• B. Data ownership is indefinite
• C. Data cannot be shared across borders
• D. Data is governed by international treaties only

Answer: (A)

The term "data sovereignty" refers to the principle that data is subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which it is stored or processed. This concept is increasingly important as organizations manage and store data in various geographic locations, often in cloud environments. Understanding data sovereignty is crucial for compliance with local laws regarding privacy, security, and data protection, which can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another.

In this context, organizations must ensure their data management practices align with the legal requirements of the countries where their data resides. This not only affects how companies store and handle data but also influences their operational decisions regarding data centers and cloud service providers.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of data sovereignty: the idea of indefinite data ownership does not capture the legal implications tied to geographical location; the assertion that data cannot be shared across borders is too restrictive, as data sharing can occur under specific regulations; and stating that data is governed solely by international treaties overlooks the significant role of national laws in data regulation.