A "resource owner" refers to an individual or entity that possesses and controls access to a specific resource, such as data, assets, or services. This ownership grants them the authority to manage how the resource is used, shared, or distributed. In many contexts, resource owners are responsible for ensuring the security and proper utilization of their resources. In the realm of technology, resource owners often play a crucial role in systems like OAuth, where they grant permissions to clients to access their resources. This relationship helps maintain privacy and security while allowing authorized applications to interact with the resource owner’s data or services.