What type of data is referred to as 'shadow data'?

Shadow data refers to information that is created and stored outside of an organization's formal data management systems. This typically includes files and documents that may not be officially controlled or monitored by the organization's data governance policies. In this context, the choice reflecting Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and emails accurately portrays shadow data because these types of files are often used by employees to create and share information outside of formal databases. They may contain important data relevant to operations or decision-making but lack the oversight and security protocols that are typically applied to formal databases.

While other options mention various data types, they do not align as closely with the concept of shadow data. For instance, data managed by third-party vendors would usually fall under structured data governance where the vendor dictates data handling practices. Shared data on social media platforms, while it may not be controlled by organizations in terms of governance, does not represent internal shadow data. In contrast, shadow data like spreadsheets and emails can proliferate within organizations, sometimes leading to inconsistencies and data quality issues due to lack of oversight.