An Open Letter to Zoom
A Call for Transparency and Respect for Privacy
Dear Zoom Team,
I am writing this letter on behalf of the global community who have been avid users and supporters of your platform. Zoom has been a crucial tool in connecting people across borders and oceans, especially during these challenging times. We appreciate the efforts you’ve made to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration. However, we also need to address recent policy changes that have raised deep concerns within the user community.
In March 2023, your updated terms of service sparked outrage due to their potential implications on user privacy and data control. The language seemed to indicate a significant shift in the way customer content and data would be managed. The intricacies of these changes were complex, but the broader message seemed to question the sanctity of user-generated content and raised alarms about the potential misuse of customer data.
Some of the specific quotes from the modified terms of service are here
Section 10.2
You consent to Zoom’s access, use, collection, creation, modification, distribution, processing, sharing, maintenance, and storage of Service Generated Data for any purpose…
Zoom may redistribute, publish, import, access, use, store, transmit, review, disclose, preserve, extract, modify, reproduce, share, use, display, copy, distribute, translate, transcribe, create derivative works, and process Customer Content…
Section 10.4
You agree to grant and hereby grant Zoom a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license and all other rights required or necessary to redistribute, publish, import, access, use, store, transmit, review, disclose, preserve, extract, modify, reproduce, share, use, display, copy, distribute, translate, transcribe, create derivative works, and process Customer Content…
Section 10.6
Zoom may delete any Customer Content, at any time without notice to you
We Do Not Agree!
These concerns, as well as the clarity and transparency you provide to your users, are of paramount importance. We understand that technological platforms evolve and adapt, and businesses often need to align their practices with the evolving landscape. However, it’s equally important to strike a balance between these adaptations and the core values that users expect from your services.
We acknowledge that you have taken steps to amend these policies as of August 11th, 2023. We welcome the modifications, which seem to align more closely with the values of user privacy and data protection. These changes show that you’re listening to the concerns raised by the community. It demonstrates your commitment to preserving user trust and fostering a stronger relationship between Zoom and its users.
Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that the March policy changes were concerning to many, and it will take time to regain the trust that might have been eroded during that period. We encourage Zoom to continue being transparent and proactive in communicating with its users. The Wayback Machine archive of the terms of service (https://web.archive.org/web/20230810183746/https://explore.zoom.us/en/terms/) serves as a reminder that wide-sweeping policy shifts can resonate beyond the moment of their announcement.
The internet has a remarkable memory, and users do not easily forget incidents that impact their privacy and trust. The past serves as a reference for the present and future, and it is incumbent upon companies to remain vigilant in upholding the ethical and privacy standards their users expect.
In closing, we appreciate Zoom’s pivotal role in fostering global connectivity, and we recognize the complexities inherent in managing and delivering such a service. We urge Zoom to continue on this new path of being receptive to user feedback, open to scrutiny, and proactive in addressing concerns. By doing so, you can forge a path toward rebuilding trust and solidifying your position as a trusted communication platform.
Sincerely,
All Zoom Users
