RWTH Aachen University uses Zoom X, a version of Zoom specially made available for the European region. According to the current status, all data at Zoom X is processed on servers within the European Union, which is intended to ensure a higher level of data protection. RWTH has entered into an order processing agreement with the provider of Zoom X in accordance with Art. 28 DSGVO (Data Processing Agreement, DPA). This agreement obliges the service provider to comply with European data protection standards.

Please note:
RWTH is not responsible for the processing of your personal data by Zoom X, as the service is operated outside the university's direct sphere of influence. The provider of Zoom X will inform you about the specific handling of your data on its official website.

RWTH takes its legal obligations regarding data protection very seriously. However, a trustworthy use of Zoom can only succeed if employees and students also fulfill their data protection obligations. The above explanations are not part of a corresponding information obligation under Articles 13 et seq. of the General Data Protection Regulation. They only serve to explain how it works. A separate information and declaration about data processing must be provided by all users before actual use within the framework of consent. You can find the explanations for teachers and students on the RWTH website.

RWTH takes a clear position on student rights in the context of invitations to web conferences and webinars:

1. Participation in courses via Zoom is voluntary. In case of doubt, if you refuse to use Zoom, you will not be able to attend the courses or evaluate them. The visit must then be made up for later.
2. In principle, no real name requirement for students in all courses.
3. In principle, there is no obligation to provide the real e-mail address for students in all courses.
4. In principle, there is no obligation for students to register a Zoom account in all courses.
5. In all courses where attendance is compulsory, lecturers can order the activation of the video transmission or the use of their own image as an avatar by the students. This can be done for initial attendance checks, random checks or throughout the event.

Different rules apply in examinations. You can find these in our examination handouts.

Legal notice I:

The voluntary nature of participation in accordance with point (1) and the consequences that may result from non-participation must be clearly communicated by the lecturers.
Despite the anonymity according to points (2) to (4), there is no legal vacuum online. If you as a student misuse anonymity for crimes, it is possible to request information.
In the further course, criminal and civil law consequences, such as compensation payments, can occur. The university itself can also impose sanctions. This can lead to expulsion from the university.

Legal notice II:

Please also note that the sharing of offensive or possibly illegal content does not have to be accepted by any participant.

Legal notice III:

Before the meeting starts, you can choose a username. There is no obligation to participate with the respective real name. In the interests of data minimization, we strongly recommend anonymized participation.

Despite anonymization, an online meeting is not a legal vacuum. If individual participants abuse anonymity in the case of criminal content in accordance with §185 et seq. of the German Criminal Code (StGB), it is possible to request information about the user data of "Zoom" in accordance with § 14 (4) TMG / § 21 TDDDG in order to enforce further rights. 

In the further course, criminal and civil law consequences may occur, such as civil law consequences, such as damages under Section 823 of the German Civil Code (BGB) due to the violation of personal rights, cf. Section 823 of the German Civil Code (BGB). The university itself can also impose sanctions. This can lead to expulsion from the university.