Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method that enable data sharing to be performed between short-range/middle-range/long-range mobile terminals by minimizing specific intervention of a user. The apparatus includes a social relationship management unit for managing social network group information formed by a user while the user utilizes a social network service. A device recognition and authentication unit identifies a mobile terminal of another party attempting to make a connection and allocates a data communication channel for data exchange, based on device information received from the mobile terminal of the other party attempting to make a connection and the social network group information. A shared data setting unit sets data to be shared with the mobile terminal of the other party between which the data communication channel has been established. A shared data transmission unit transmits the data to be shared to the mobile terminal of the other party.