What does "data locality" refer to in the context of MongoDB?

Data locality in the context of MongoDB refers to the practice of organizing related data to be stored together. This concept is significant because when data that is frequently accessed together is stored close to each other, it can enhance performance by reducing the time needed to fetch that data. In MongoDB, data is often stored in documents within collections, and by grouping related documents together, it allows for quicker retrieval operations. This is particularly beneficial in a NoSQL database like MongoDB, where the schema can be flexible, enabling developers to optimize data access patterns effectively.

The other options don't align with the principle of data locality as it applies to MongoDB. Storing data across multiple collections could lead to increased complexity and potential data retrieval delays if related data is not co-located. Accessing distant data more efficiently focuses on retrieval methods rather than how data is organized for locality. Limiting data access to certain users pertains to security and permissions rather than the physical organization of data within the database.