The REST API used with unstructured data in Snowflake is GET /api/files/, which retrieves (downloads) a data file from an internal or external stage4.

When data is loaded into Snowflake, it undergoes a reorganization process where the data is stored in a columnar format and compressed. The columnar storage format enables efficient querying and data retrieval, as it allows for reading only the necessary columns for a query, thereby reducing IO operations. Additionally, Snowflake uses advanced compression techniques to minimize storage costs and improve performance. This combination of columnar storage and compression is key to Snowflake's data warehousing capabilities.
Reference:
Snowflake Documentation: Data Storage and Organization

A Snowflake Data Exchange allows groups of accounts to share data privately among the accounts (B), and it supports bidirectional sharing, meaning an account can be both a provider and a consumer of data (E). This facilitates secure and governed data collaboration within a selected group3.

Column-level security in Snowflake enhances data protection by restricting access and applying masking policies to sensitive data at the column level.
Limiting Access Based on User Privileges:
Column-level security allows administrators to define which users or roles have access to specific columns within a table.
This ensures that sensitive data is only accessible to authorized personnel, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches.
Application of Masking Policies:
Masking policies can be applied to columns to obfuscate sensitive data.
For example, credit card numbers can be masked to show only the last four digits, protecting the full number from being exposed.
Reference:
Snowflake Documentation: Column-Level Security
Snowflake Documentation: Dynamic Data Masking

In Snowflake's access control model, the default owner of an object is the role that was used to create the object. This role has the OWNERSHIP privilege on the object and can grant access to other roles1