Data ownership in CRM refers to the responsibility and accountability for managing customer data, ensuring its accuracy, privacy, and compliance with regulations. Clear data ownership policies define who can access, modify, and share data within an organization. For example, sales teams may own prospect data, while customer support teams manage service interactions. Establishing data ownership prevents unauthorized changes, enhances security, and ensures consistency in CRM records. Organizations implement role-based access controls (RBAC) to enforce permissions and maintain data integrity. Data ownership is also critical for compliance with privacy laws such as GDPR, which mandates that companies handle customer data transparently and securely. Defining clear ownership structures helps businesses maintain high data quality, improve operational efficiency, and foster trust with customers.