Data contracts are agreements between data producers and consumers that ensure high-quality, seamless data exchange. They provide structure and enforceability to the nature of the data being exchanged. There are two types of data contracts: technical-level data contracts, which can be enforced programmatically, and legal-level data contracts, which organizations typically agree upon rather than individual teams. Key components of data contracts include definition and scopes, quality and standards, privacy and security measures, roles and responsibilities, compliance and regulatory requirements, and data retention and destruction policies. Benefits of data contracts include improved data quality, transparency and trust, data consistency, and effective collaboration and communication. Challenges with implementation may include alignment across teams and stakeholders, evolving data and business needs, legal and regulatory complexity, and technical complexity. Following best practices such as regular monitoring, clear communication, and involvement of all stakeholders can help overcome these challenges.