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This page provides an overview of data protection information regarding the use of digital tools during digital or hybrid events held by the FES:
Online events are held as online video conferences using a service provided by the US company ZOOM Video Communications, Inc. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has reached an agreement with the service provider on the basis of a standard contract adopted by the European Commission stating that the provider will act exclusively as a processor. This means that the personal data collected by ZOOM and required for operation of the service may only be processed for this purpose and may not be made accessible to third parties.
In order to avail yourself of the latest implemented security mechanisms provided by ZOOM for secure communication, we recommend that you always use the latest ZOOM version and install updates promptly. We also recommend that you keep your device (system, browser, virus protection) up to date in accordance with the security recommendations of the relevant manufacturers.
For further details, please refer to the ‘ZOOM Global Data Processing Addendum’ available at https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Zoom_GLOBAL_DPA.pdf. Exhibit A of this document contains, for instance, a list of the data collected by ZOOM, Exhibit B a description of the planned data backup and control processes and Exhibit C the wording of the contract for commissioned data processing.
Why we use Zoom at the FES
The Zoom video conferencing software was selected for the FES following extensive testing of various webinar software products because it is the best software available on the market for web seminars and online workshops in terms of stability, performance, intuitive operation and participant involvement.
Even though the server is located in the US, webinars and online workshops can be carried out according to data minimisation principles, as we do not enter any participant data into the software but only send them a link for participation.
According to an audit by the FES data protection officer (as of May 2020), the use of ZOOM is de jure non-objectionable. The use of ZOOM for webinars and similar events on digital political education topics is justifiable from a data protection perspective and Zoom can be used for this purpose in a manner that is permissible under data protection law.
Since this audit, Zoom has made significant improvements in terms of data protection and has closed loopholes. Among other things, we have switched to secure ‘AES 256bit GCM’ encryption and added a security button to the web seminar room to protect against disruptive behaviour in the webinar, which bundles the most important functions. The FES colleagues have been briefed on how to protect the event room from disruptive behaviour.
We look forward to welcoming you to our webinars and online workshops.
The FES points out that processing may take place in the US and other third countries with regard to individual data and/or service providers. Despite entering into an agreement with SpatialChat for commissioned processing on the basis of the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, the FES cannot rule out the possibility that your data may be processed by foreign security authorities for control and monitoring purposes.
