In-Product Privacy Notifications in zoom App
In product updates to Zoom privacy settings released on April 19 and May 24, we introduced a series of in-product notifications about data privacy to make it easier to understand who is able to access your content on Zoom, to save it, and share it with others. Zoom provides feature-specific notices on how to use our products and provides more robust privacy settings and security so that you can make an informed decision about how you use Zoom.
Frequently asked questions about privacy alerts
Why are you introducing in-product privacy notifications?
As Zoom’s user base has grown over the past year, we have seen more individuals and small businesses joining the service. We recognize that our platform is changing as users are changing who is using it, which is why we are rolling out new in-product notifications to help our users understand who can see their information, save it, and share it with others. Despite the fact that most users understand that when they send a message to everyone in the room, the other participants will see it, we want users to also know that if the meeting is being recorded, the gathering’s host organization (the “account owner”) will see those messages – and will be able to choose whether to share them with other apps. As part of the new functionality, these notices are intended to guide users in their choice of how to use Zoom without interfering with the easy-to-use Zoom experience that our users rely on.
Some of the notifications refer to an “account owner.” What does that mean? Who is the account owner?
During the setup of an account on Zoom, the owner is the person or organization who sets up the account and who hosts the meetings or webinars from this account. Typically, Zoom account owners nominate someone to manage their account settings (often referred to as “administrators” or “admins”), who in turn determines what features are available to users during meetings and events hosted by their account.
How do these new in-product notifications work?
A feature-specific notice will now appear during a meeting indicating who will be able to see, save, and share the information you share. Zoom’s chat feature lets users learn who can view their messages by going to “Who can see your messages?”. Users can see both public and private messages they send on Zoom’s chat service. For other meeting features, such as transcription, polls, Q&A, meeting and webinar registration, and recording or live-streaming, users will find similar information.
Where will I see these notifications?
If you are using Zoom version 5.6.3 (or any version after that), you will see new privacy notifications before you share information on Zoom. This includes providing in-meeting chat and live transcription, as well as polls, Q&A, whiteboard, annotation and feedback surveys after meetings. You will also be notified when you register for meetings or webinars, or when a recording or live streaming of a meeting is taking place.
Please refer to this article for instructions on how to download the latest version of Zoom.
Some of the notifications refer to an “account owner.” What does that mean? Who is the account owner?
Typically, the account owner is the organization or individual who sets up an account on Zoom and whose account is used to host meetings or web conferences. The account owners usually designate other people who will be in charge of managing their Zoom account settings (often referred to as “administrators” or “admins”), who are in charge of determining which Zoom features will be available for their meetings and events.
Can I opt out of sharing my content with the parties listed?
If you do not want your content or information to be shared on Zoom, you can either mute your microphone or video, or leave the meeting altogether. Before people share, Zoom provides notices so they can make informed choices. In the chat feature, for example, Zoom provides notices before sharing
This notice explains that everyone in the meeting will be able to see, save, and share the chat if that chat is made available to everyone in the meeting if the meeting is being recorded by the account holder. The user has the option of sending a chat to everyone or not.
What does it mean for account owners and users to share data with apps? What apps?
There are many organizations that have registered an account with Zoom and have installed apps available on the Zoom App Marketplace so that they can take advantage of additional features and tools in their meetings and webinars. In the near future, Zoom Apps will be launched – apps that are directly integrated with Zoom. By using Zoom Apps, any Zoom user can integrate additional features and tools to their Zoom experience, such as adding apps to their meeting experience or sharing content and information within apps.
An account owner may, for example, enable third-party transcription apps that will provide transcripts of all meetings hosted on their account, allowing them to use the transcripts for internal project purposes.
Users and account owners can install apps to add features and tools to their video conferencing experiences. When Zoom is used by accounts and other meeting participants, Zoom goes the extra mile to help people understand how meeting and webinar content and information can be shared with apps.