Zoom, a web-conferencing tool
Video conferencing
Description: Zoom is a conferencing platform for conducting virtual meetings, webinars, and online events. It provides users with different options for video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, chat, and recording. Other useful functionalities are whiteboards for drawing or creating diagrams, and breakout rooms of up to 50 people to facilitate conversations in smaller groups. Participants have different statuses, with meeting hosts able to grant permission for screen sharing, and also record meetings in MP4 and M4A video formats for later use. Zoom’s chat functionality also allows users to instantly share text, images, audio, or video files. Group calls can be accessed through URLs or codes. Zoom offers a limited free version with a 40-minute duration limit for meetings, together with a maximum of 100 people per call. Users are required to sign up for an account to host meetings, though joining meetings can often be done without an account. Zoom was developed by Eric Yuan in 2011.
Evaluation: Zoom is a handy tool for hosting online meetings and courses. It is highly versatile, allowing for different interaction and class formats. Its whiteboard option is a useful resource to make online classes more interactive. Zoom is perhaps the most popular video conferencing tool due to its intuitive and straightforward interface.
Cost: Free + paid plans available.
Usability and tech notes ▼
Time efficiency 
Time needed to learn how to use a tool and its time-saving potential: Medium. It is relatively quick to set up a virtual classroom and get started.
Interface language(s) The number of languages in which the tool is currently available/adaptable to: Over 15 languages.
Respect for privacy What data does the tool collect and why? What security measures are there? GDPR compliant? : Medium. Zoom collects a wide range of personal data, including account information, profile details, contact information, device information, content from meetings and webinars, usage information, and more. The collection serves various purposes, such as providing and customising Zoom services but also marketing and advertising. Zoom shares user data with several third parties for the purpose of supporting and improving its services but also based on commercial grounds. Also, it uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about website interactions, which can be managed through the settings. Zoom uses security measures to protect user data, including encryption, access controls, safe storage, and compliance with industry standards. It acknowledges users’ rights to access, modify or erase their data, having direct access to certain data settings on their account. Zoom states compliance with the GDPR. Interestingly, Zoom’s privacy policy has raised concerns in the recent past since it asked users permission to use their data in order to train AI models. However, the company has rolled back on this policy change. Other more privacy-friendly options would be Jitsi or BigBlueButton. See more here.
Saving work for future use Can work be saved for future use?: Yes, recordings can be saved by session hosts.
Any other relevant information:
- Installation required?: Yes, although it can also be used through a browser.
- Compatibility/ Operating System: Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.