* Noun: When referring to a collection of facts or information, "data" is used as a plural noun. For example: "The scientist collected data on the weather patterns."
* Uncountable Noun: When referring to information as a whole, "data" is used as an uncountable noun. For example: "Data security is crucial for any business."
The usage of "data" as a singular noun is becoming more common, particularly in informal contexts. However, it is still generally considered more grammatically correct to use "data" as a plural noun or an uncountable noun.