Zoom launches easy-to-use solutions that allow users to better manage their privacy preferences. Good privacy policies are crucial for trust between tech companies and their users. After all, users are more confident in using digital technologies when they feel their data is well protected.
Here are the new measures that give users more control over and insight into their data:
Data storage in the EEA: Paying users in the European Economic Area (EEA) can store certain data for Meetings, Webinars and Team Chat within the EEA. This data is only shared with teams in the US, such as Zoom's Trust & Safety team, in individual cases and under exceptional circumstances.
A European support team: Zoom has set up a support team in Europe, where customers can opt-in for technical support. All support information is processed within the EEA by local staff during business hours.
Data access requests: Zoom has developed a new tool that allows administrators to easily respond to requests for access or deletion of their personal data for Zoom Meetings, Webinars and Team Chat. This tool makes compliance with GDPR and CCPA requests much easier.
Marketing preferences: Users can opt in or out of Zoom's marketing communications and newsletters with a single click.
Audit log tracking: Audit logs for administrators record the specific actions administrators perform on behalf of users. Now account owners and administrators can track when these logs are exported or deleted.
Data retention: Users gain greater insight into Zoom's policies around data retention and deletion. They also have more insight into Zoom's guidelines and activities to comply with policies.
"We are proud of these privacy updates for our customers," said Lynn Haaland, Chief Compliance, Ethics & Privacy Officer and Deputy General Counsel at Zoom. "The new tools give our European customers more control over where their data is processed and stored and gives them the option to delete personal data. Organizations can choose Zoom knowing they are partnering with a vendor committed to protecting their data."
Collaboration is key
Zoom's new privacy features were developed as part of a close working relationship with SURF, the collaborative organization for ICT in Dutch education. In 2021, Zoom began working with SURF in response to a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA). As a result, Zoom has made great progress on user privacy, and many of the new features are a direct result of this close collaboration.
"We are very pleased with the work Zoom has done as a result of our collaboration," said Jet de Ranitz, SURF CEO and chair of the board of directors. "With the new privacy features and recent updates, the company shows that it takes European privacy standards seriously. We are very pleased with the result and the positive benefits for European users."
Where to find the new settings?
Zooms new tools for access requests and data deletion requests can be found on the web portal under "Privacy. Marketing settings can be accessed through the 'Manage Preferences' link in all Zoom marketing emails. European technical support is available at https://eu.support.zoom.us. Data storage in the EEA has begun rolling out for paying customers from the EEA. This option can be found in the Zoom Privacy Center. Company policies for data retention and disposal can be found in the privacy statement.
