SaaS vendors have built their business models on locking customer data inside their platforms. This created a data hostage situation where switching costs became prohibitive. Now, a new architectural shift threatens to invert this entire model by separating capabilities from data custody.

The rise of capability-first architecture makes data lock-in visible. When AI agents try to access enterprise data, vendors' restrictions become obvious. This forces a strategic inversion: enterprises will demand data portability and route around restrictive providers, much like over-the-top services bypassed telecom carriers.

The solution is structurally separating capability providers from data ownership. Vendors offer logic and expertise, while enterprises retain control of their data. This model enforces sovereignty architecturally, not just through contracts, paving the way for a personal data layer where users own and delegate access to their information.