Zoom has announced new privacy tools and enhancements for users to have more control over their data. The video conferencing platform has developed easy-to-use solutions, including data subject access requests, audit log tracking, and more. Paid customers based in the European Economic Area (EEA) can now select certain data for Meetings, Webinars, and Team Chat to be stored within the EEA, offering EEA-based customers confidence that their eligible data is stored within EEA boundaries. Zoom has also established a dedicated support team within Europe and developed a new tool for administrators to easily reply to data subject requests for access or deletion of personal data.
- Zoom has announced new privacy tools and enhancements to give users more control over their data.
- Paid customers based in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be able to select certain data to be stored within EEA boundaries, and Zoom has established a dedicated support team within Europe to offer customers direct technical support.
- Zoom’s new privacy features were developed as part of its close relationship with SURF, the collaborative organization for ICT in Dutch education and research, and the new tools offer European customers more control over where their data is processed and stored, along with the option to delete personal data.
We’ve all been there – you log into a video conference call and suddenly realise you’re not sure who has access to your data or what they’re doing with it. It’s a scary thought, but thankfully Zoom is taking steps to give users more control over their privacy preferences. The video conferencing platform has announced a range of new privacy tools and enhancements, ensuring that users can easily manage their data and take ownership of their privacy.
EEA-based Data Storage
Paid customers based in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be able to select certain data for Meetings, Webinars, and Team Chat to be stored within the EEA going forward. This new feature offers EEA-based customers the confidence that their eligible data is stored within EEA boundaries. Zoom’s Trust & Safety team will only share this data with US teams in individual cases and exceptional circumstances.
European Support Team
Zoom has established a dedicated support team within Europe to offer customers direct technical support. All support information will be processed within the EEA by local employees during normal business hours.
Data Subject Access Requests
Zoom has developed a new tool for administrators to easily reply to data subject requests for access or deletion of their personal data for Zoom Meetings, Webinars, and Team Chat. This tool facilitates compliance with GDPR and CCPA requests.
Marketing Preference Center
Users may opt in or out of Zoom marketing communications and newsletters with just one click.
Audit Log Tracking
Administrator audit logs record the specific actions that administrators take on behalf of users. Now, account owners and administrators have the ability to track when these logs are exported or deleted.
Data Retention
Users will have more visibility into Zoom’s data retention and deletion policies as well as the standards and actions the company is taking to align with policies.
Collaboration with SURF
Zoom’s new privacy features were developed as part of its close relationship with SURF, the collaborative organization for ICT in Dutch education and research. In 2021, Zoom began working with SURF in response to a Data Protection Impact Assessment.
“We are pleased with the adjustments Zoom has made to its software as a result of our collaboration,” said Jet de Ranitz, CEO and chairperson of SURF’s board of directors.
“Institutions can choose us knowing that they’ve selected a vendor that’s committed to protecting their data.”
Where can you find the new settings?
Zoom’s new privacy tools for data subject access requests and data deletion are available in the Zoom web portal under “Privacy.” The Marketing Preference Center can be accessed through the “Manage Preferences” link within Zoom marketing emails. European technical support is available at https://eu.support.zoom.us/. For EEA-based paid customers, Zoom began rolling out the ability to enable EEA-based data storage in the Zoom Privacy Center. Zoom’s data retention and deletion policies can be found in the company’s privacy sheet.
“We’re proud to announce these privacy updates for our customers,” said Lynn Haaland, Chief Compliance, Ethics, & Privacy Officer and Deputy General Counsel at Zoom. “These new tools offer our European customers more control over where their data is processed and stored, along with the option to delete personal data. Institutions can choose us knowing that they’ve selected a vendor that’s committed to protecting their data.”
Final Thoughts
Zoom’s commitment to protecting the privacy of its users is a much-needed step in the right direction for tech companies. With the ability to select EEA-based data storage and a dedicated European support team, customers can feel more confident that their data is being handled responsibly. The new tools for data subject access requests and marketing preferences make it easier for users to manage their data, while the audit log tracking and data retention policies offer more transparency into Zoom’s practices. By collaborating with SURF, Zoom has shown its commitment to improving privacy for its users. Overall, these new measures are a significant improvement in protecting the privacy of Zoom users, and we hope to see more companies follow in their footsteps.
FAQ:
Q: What privacy tools has Zoom announced?
A: Zoom has announced new privacy tools and enhancements, including data subject access requests, audit log tracking, and more.
Q: Will EEA-based customers have the option to store data within EEA boundaries?
A: Yes, paid customers based in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be able to select certain data for Meetings, Webinars, and Team Chat to be stored within the EEA going forward.
Q: How will Zoom ensure the privacy of EEA-based customers?
A: Zoom’s Trust & Safety team will only share EEA-based customer data with US teams in individual cases and exceptional circumstances. Additionally, Zoom has established a dedicated support team within Europe to offer customers direct technical support.
Q: Does Zoom have a tool for administrators to respond to data subject requests?
A: Yes, Zoom has developed a new tool for administrators to easily reply to data subject requests for access or deletion of their personal data for Zoom Meetings, Webinars, and Team Chat.
Q: Can users opt out of Zoom marketing communications?
A: Yes, users may opt in or out of Zoom marketing communications and newsletters with just one click through the Marketing Preference Center.
Q: How can users access the new privacy settings?
A: Zoom’s new privacy tools for data subject access requests and data deletion are available in the Zoom web portal under “Privacy.” The Marketing Preference Center can be accessed through the “Manage Preferences” link within Zoom marketing emails. European technical support is available at https://eu.support.zoom.us/. For EEA-based paid customers, Zoom began rolling out the ability to enable EEA-based data storage in the Zoom Privacy Center. Zoom’s data retention and deletion policies can be found in the company’s privacy sheet.
