Provided is a data storage apparatus using current switching in a metal oxide layer. The data storage apparatus includes a substrate; a lower electrode layer disposed on the substrate; a metal oxide layer disposed on the lower electrode layer; a probe tip disposed on the metal oxide layer opposite the lower electrode layer and for scanning a local region of the metal oxide layer in units of nanometer, wherein the probe tip applies a write voltage to the local region of the metal oxide layer so that the resistance of the local region is sharply changed until a resistive state of the local region is switched from a first state to a second state or measures current flowing through the local region according to the resistive state and reads data stored in the local region; a driver for transferring the position of the probe tip to the local region of the metal oxide layer; and a controller for controlling the probe tip and the driver.