GDPR Compliance Risk
Zoom is a US-based service subject to the CLOUD Act. EU organizations using this service risk non-compliance with GDPR data transfer requirements.
Zoom is a video conferencing service developed by Zoom Video Communications, founded in 2011 and based in the United States. It provides a platform for virtual meetings, webinars, and collaboration, offering HD video and audio quality to facilitate communication across distances. Key features include virtual backgrounds and filters, breakout rooms for group discussions, integrated webinar hosting, and cloud recording with transcription capabilities. Zoom also supports real-time collaboration on digital whiteboards and VoIP calling with call routing. The platform is widely used by businesses, educational institutions, and individuals for remote communication and collaboration. It is important to note that Zoom is subject to US data laws, including the CLOUD Act and FISA 702, meaning user data is stored in the US under US jurisdiction. Zoom operates on a freemium pricing model, offering a basic free tier with limited features and paid plans that unlock additional functionalities.
Since the landmark Schrems II ruling in 2020, transferring personal data to US-based services like Zoom has become a significant legal risk for EU organizations. The US CLOUD Act gives American authorities the power to access data held by US companies, regardless of where that data is physically stored — even if it's in an EU data center.
While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) adopted in 2023 provides a new legal basis for transfers, privacy experts and legal scholars have raised concerns about its long-term viability. The framework could face the same fate as its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield), both of which were struck down by the Court of Justice of the EU.
For organizations that want to eliminate compliance risk entirely, switching to a European-based video conferencing is the most straightforward solution. Below are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to Zoom, all headquartered in Europe with data stored in EU data centers.
US authorities can access your data stored by Zoom, even if servers are located in Europe.
Non-compliant data transfers can result in fines up to 4% of annual global revenue under GDPR Article 83.
3 GDPR-compliant European alternatives available with full EU data residency.
European services with full GDPR compliance and EU data residency
by Whereby
Host quick instant meetings or embed video calls into your platform with Whereby’s video conferencing API and SDK.
Why switch?
Consider
by Livestorm
Experience the all-in-one video engagement platform to create and manage your virtual meetings, video conferencing, webinars, virtual events, and screen sharing.
Why switch?
Consider
by Wire
Collaborate without compromise with Wire, the trusted platform for millions worldwide. Stay in control with end-to-end encryption that's invisible, flexible collaboration, and intuitive user interface. Join now for free and boost your productivity.
Why switch?
Consider
| Service | HQ Location | GDPR Native | EU Data Centers | CLOUD Act Free | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇺🇸Zoom | United States | No | Partial | No | - |
| 🇳🇴Whereby | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes | freemium |
| 🇫🇷Livestorm | FR | Yes | Yes | Yes | freemium |
| 🇨🇭Wire | CH | Yes | Yes | Yes | freemium |
Zoom is a US-based service operated by Zoom. While it may have some GDPR compliance measures, as a US company it is subject to the CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to access data stored by US companies regardless of where the data is physically located. This creates a fundamental conflict with GDPR requirements for data protection.
The main GDPR risks include: (1) Data transfers to the US may lack adequate protection since the Schrems II ruling invalidated Privacy Shield, (2) US authorities can demand access under the CLOUD Act, (3) Your organization may face GDPR fines up to 4% of annual revenue for non-compliant data transfers, and (4) User consent may not be sufficient to legitimize transfers given the systematic access by US authorities.
The top GDPR-compliant alternatives to Zoom include Whereby, Livestorm, Wire. These European services store your data in EU data centers and are fully subject to GDPR protections.
Most migrations involve three steps: (1) Export your data from Zoom using their data export tools, (2) Create an account with your chosen EU alternative, and (3) Import your data into the new service. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative to make the switch as smooth as possible.
Since the Schrems II ruling (2020), EU organizations face significant legal risk when using US cloud services like Zoom. While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (2023) provides a new legal basis, its long-term stability is uncertain. Many EU data protection authorities recommend using EU-based alternatives to avoid compliance risks entirely.
Last updated: January 26, 2026
