Environment
U-M Zoom, meetings, webinars
Issue
- Can I livestream a Zoom meeting or webinar?
- How do I livestream a webinar?
Resolution
- Livestreaming is available within U-M Zoom. However, you can livestream only webinars, not meetings.
- Because meetings cannot be livestreamed, the account setting Meeting > In Meeting (Advanced) > Allow livestreaming of meetings is permanently toggled off and locked for all U-M Zoom accounts. More details on why are in the section below.
- The account setting for livestreaming webinars can be toggled on/off under Webinar > In Webinar > Allow livestreaming. This setting must be toggled on in order to livestream your webinar.
Why can't I livestream my Zoom meeting?
The ITS Security team set the requirement to disable livestreaming for Zoom meetings based on the following factors:
- U-M's agreement with Zoom provides certain institutional protections and assurances related to how U-M data can be used and shared.
- U-M does not have a contract or other institutional agreement with Facebook, Twitch, or YouTube.
- U-M data could be shared, sold, or used to track user behavior, serve ads, and more.
- Using Facebook, Twitch, or YouTube with students in a classroom or advising context violates FERPA because it lacks the institutional protections found in U-M contracts and agreements.
Because data-sharing and privacy differ between meetings and webinars, livestreaming in webinars is allowed, provided the stream does not include anything related to instruction or advising. Streaming "public" events (e.g., graduations, talks, conferences, etc.) is permissible via the default providers.
Additional Information
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.