Zoom attention tracking was a feature that once allowed hosts to monitor participant engagement during virtual meetings. However, amidst growing privacy concerns, this feature was removed in 2020. While this decision was a significant step towards enhancing user privacy, it left a void for hosts who still needed to gauge participant engagement. MorphCast for Zoom has since emerged as a solution that respects user privacy while addressing this need.
Zoom’s attention tracking feature was designed to help hosts understand if participants were actively engaged during a meeting. However, in April 2020, Zoom decided to remove this feature, prioritizing user privacy. Users’ concerns revolved around the potential misuse of personal data, the risk of “Zoom bombing” where uninvited attendees could disrupt meetings, and the lack of end-to-end encryption for all users
The removal of Zoom’s attention tracking feature highlighted the challenge of balancing functionality with privacy in the digital age. It also underscored the ongoing need for tools that can help hosts understand attendee engagement during virtual meetings, events, or classes.
Consider the case of a crowded webinar, where the host is trying to deliver a presentation to hundreds, if not thousands, of participants. In a physical setting, the presenter can gauge the audience’s reactions – are they engaged, confused, bored, or excited? In a virtual setting, this becomes much more challenging. The host can’t see everyone’s faces, and even if they could, interpreting the mood of a large group through small video thumbnails is nearly impossible.
Similarly, educators conducting online classes face the same challenge. In a physical classroom, teachers can easily pick up on non-verbal cues from their students. They can tell if a student is confused, bored, or not paying attention, and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. In a virtual classroom, this is much harder to do.
MorphCast for Zoom, a plugin that incorporates Emotion AI into Zoom conferences, has stepped in to fill this gap. While it provides hosts with valuable insights into participant engagement and emotional responses, it does so with a strong commitment to privacy.
MorphCast takes privacy concerns very seriously. The technology processes only the information required for emotional analysis and does not collect any personal data beyond what is necessary for this analysis. Moreover, the processed information is sent encrypted and stored securely to ensure that it is not misused or shared with unauthorized parties.
Users also have the option to opt-out of having their emotional data processed by MorphCast at any time. This gives users control over their data and ensures that their emotions are not monitored during the Zoom conference unless they choose to allow it.
In conclusion, while the Zoom attention tracking feature is no longer available, the need for understanding attendee engagement in virtual settings remains. MorphCast for Zoom offers a solution that not only meets this need but does so while keeping user privacy front and center.
