diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 7953410..995a2f6 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -477,6 +477,9 @@ fi
 
 kill $SMOKE_PID 2>/dev/null; wait $SMOKE_PID 2>/dev/null
 
+# Ensure data files are owned by service user
+$SUDO chown -R "$SVC_USER:$SVC_USER" "$DATA_DIR"
+
 # ============================================================
 # SUMMARY
 # ============================================================