Software Freedom Conservancy Calls on Developers to Ditch Zoom over Data Leverage

Summary:

The Software Freedom Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that provides support and legal services for open source projects, is urging developers to stop using the video-conferencing app Zoom. The call comes in response to recent changes in Zoom’s terms and conditions regarding the usage of user data for the enhancement of its machine learning models.

Key Points:

• The Software Freedom Conservancy is encouraging developers to abandon Zoom due to controversial changes in its terms and conditions.
• The changes in Zoom’s T&Cs allow the company to leverage user data to improve its machine learning models.

What this all means:

The Software Freedom Conservancy’s call for developers to abandon Zoom reflects growing concerns about data privacy and the ethical use of user data. As developers become more aware of the implications of these practices, they are being urged to seek alternative platforms that prioritize user privacy and data protection.

What this means for App Developers:

For app developers, this serves as a reminder to carefully evaluate the privacy policies and terms and conditions of the platforms they choose to integrate into their apps. It is important to consider the potential impact on user data and privacy when selecting third-party services. Additionally, this controversy highlights the need for app developers to be transparent and upfront with their users about data collection and usage to maintain trust and confidence in their apps.

Original Article: https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/16/open-source-developers-urged-to-ditch-zoom-over-user-data-controversy/