What does the term 'data lineage' refer to?

Data lineage refers to the ability to track and visualize the lifecycle of data as it moves through various stages within a data ecosystem. This includes understanding where the data originates from, how it has been transformed over time, and where it is consumed or used. Essentially, data lineage provides a clear view of the data flow, ensuring transparency and traceability.

Understanding data lineage is crucial for data governance, as it helps organizations maintain compliance, improve data quality, and facilitate troubleshooting and analytics. By following a data's path, one can identify any issues that may arise, as well as understand the impact of changes within the data pipeline. This comprehensive view is critical for making informed decisions based on accurate data.

The other options do not accurately describe data lineage. For example, cloud storage refers to where the data is stored, while encryption pertains to securing data. Data visualization is about representing data graphically and does not involve tracing its origins and transformations. Thus, tracking the origins and transformations of data is what distinctly defines data lineage.