Disabling Zoom Docs

Modern software platforms are constantly evolving, and when new features are added to these platforms, our computing environment at Virginia Tech becomes more complex. In some cases, we have no control over updates to licensed software; in other cases, we can determine when and how to deploy new features. We always seek to take advantage of new technologies that benefit the campus community, but we have to balance our commitment to innovation with our responsibility to manage financial, security, stability, privacy, accessibility, and usability issues.

Zoom Workplace recently released Zoom Docs, a new tool that allows users to create and upload files that are associated with their Zoom accounts. Zoom Docs has been available to Virginia Tech Zoom users since August 2024. Integrating document features into Zoom has some potential benefits, but it also introduces several new challenges. Zoom Docs has limited file organization capabilities, does not allow platform administrators to manage storage effectively, and creates yet another place for users to store and manage documents. In addition, the security, accessibility, data management, and potential long-term costs of Zoom Docs have not yet been evaluated. With very few users currently using this feature, we have an opportunity to address potential challenges now rather than after widespread adoption.

Until TLOS and the Division of IT can complete a thorough review of Zoom Docs and better understand what role it might play in Virginia Tech’s broader digital ecosystem, we have decided to disable this feature on March 7, 2025. 

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