Databricks has announced first-class support for the Apache Iceberg format in Delta Sharing, extending its open data sharing protocol to a broader set of platforms and query engines. The update allows data providers to share live data from Databricks to any client that supports the Apache Iceberg REST Catalog API, including Snowflake, Trino, Flink, and Spark across all major clouds.
Delta Sharing is positioned as an open protocol for secure data and AI sharing, with adoption by large data providers such as SAP, Walmart, Atlassian, and LSEG. The addition of Iceberg support addresses a common enterprise constraint: the need to exchange data across heterogeneous platforms without duplicating or re-ingesting datasets. Recipients can now access shared data as native Iceberg tables, while providers retain control over the source data.
Operationally, the integration enables zero-copy, live data access using standard Iceberg interfaces. Data is shared over REST APIs with short-lived credentials, reducing operational overhead while maintaining security. From a governance perspective, providers continue to manage access, auditing, and monitoring through Databricks Unity Catalog, even when consumers query the data from external platforms.
Databricks is also launching a private preview that extends Delta Sharing beyond Databricks-managed data. This capability allows organizations to share Iceberg tables that reside in external catalogs such as AWS Glue, Hive Metastore, or Snowflake Horizon. These external tables can be cataloged in Unity Catalog, governed centrally, and shared using the same Delta Sharing mechanisms.
This approach addresses a growing enterprise requirement: managing data sharing consistently across multiple formats, catalogs, and business units. By supporting both Delta and Iceberg tables—whether managed internally or sourced from external systems—Databricks is positioning Unity Catalog as a centralized governance layer for distributed data estates. Features such as view-based sharing and fine-grained access controls remain available, even when the underlying data is in Iceberg format.
For enterprises operating in multi-cloud or hybrid environments, the update reduces friction in partner data exchange and internal collaboration. Industries such as healthcare, retail, finance, and ad-tech—where data frequently crosses organizational and platform boundaries—stand to benefit from live, governed access without format or vendor constraints.
The expanded Iceberg support reflects a broader shift toward open interoperability in enterprise AI and analytics. As organizations scale AI workloads, minimizing data movement, standardizing access patterns, and enforcing consistent governance are increasingly critical. Delta Sharing’s extension to Iceberg clients moves data sharing closer to these operational requirements.