The algorithm primarily used for sorting data is the QuickSort algorithm, known for its efficiency and speed, especially with large datasets. QuickSort follows a divide-and-conquer approach, selecting a 'pivot' and partitioning the dataset into smaller sub-arrays based on whether the elements are less than or greater than the pivot. This process continues recursively until the entire dataset is sorted. Its average time complexity is O(n log n), making it one of the most popular sorting algorithms in computer science due to its effective performance in practical applications.