Dataeiere

Dataeiere is a term used in data governance to describe the person or organization that holds ownership or control over a data asset. The ownership role can reside in an individual, a corporate entity, or a combination of stakeholders, and may be defined by contracts, organizational policy, or applicable law. Ownership does not always imply sole possession of data, but rather responsibility for its management and supervision.

In practice, dataeiere are responsible for establishing what the data represents, how it should be defined, and the rules governing its use. This includes setting data quality standards, defining access and sharing policies, deciding retention periods, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The dataeiere often works in collaboration with data stewards, who handle day-to-day data governance tasks, and data custodians, who manage storage, security, and technical controls.

Legal and governance considerations are central to the concept. In many frameworks, data ownership intersects with roles such as data controller and data processor, particularly under privacy and data protection regimes. Some organizations formalize ownership through data catalogs, governance boards, or data governance policies to clarify responsibilities and accountability for each data asset.

Implementation often involves designating a dataeiere for key datasets, documenting ownership in data dictionaries, and aligning ownership with accountability mechanisms. Common challenges include multi-entity data environments, cross-border data flows, and evolving data practices. Clear, documented ownership helps coordinate data quality, security, privacy, and lifecycle management across the organization.