Usability
Interface
User-friendliness/complexity of the tool´s interface
Straightforward, user-friendly.
Time efficiency
Time needed for mastering the „how-to“ of the tool and a production of a task
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
Does the tool require registration? Who can see my data? Can I remain anonymous?
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. Data collection serves various purposes, such as providing and customising Zoom services but also marketing and advertising. Zoom shares user data with several third parties to support and improve its services but also based on commercial grounds. Additionally, it uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to gather 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. Importantly, 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 since rolled back on this policy change. Read more in-depth about Zoom’s privacy policy here.
Saving work for future use
Possiblity to save your or others´ work for reuse/reproduction
Yes; session hosts can record a meeting.
Tailorability (If so, how?)
Possibility of the tool to be used for a range of different activities (e.g. to what extent you can organize a project assignment with a central activity based on this tool)
To some extent; users can employ different functionalities such as breakout rooms or the whiteboard to adapt Zoom to their needs.