This article guides how Vimeo handles privacy claims with respect to user-uploaded content. For information on Vimeo’s privacy practices, please see our Privacy Policy.
How to submit a claim?
Vimeo’s Terms of Service prohibit content that infringes any third party’s rights, including privacy rights. If you find content on our site that you believe violates your privacy rights, you may either:
- Contact the person who uploaded the content and ask them to remove it; or
- Submit a complaint to Vimeo using this form.
All privacy claims must be submitted directly by the complaining individual or their legal representative. In investigating the matter, we will share the claim with the uploading user and ask for further information. If you fail to provide certain required or requested information, we may deny your claim.
If you have obtained a court order with respect to the alleged violation, we may ask that you provide the court order in support of your claim.
What constitutes a privacy violation?
We will generally find that a privacy violation has occurred when the content at issue (1) publishes certain personal information relating to the complainant, and (2) the publication of such information contravenes a reasonable expectation of privacy or otherwise violates a law relating to privacy.
- Publication of Personal Information
The first element requires that the content must publish uniquely identifiable personal information about the claimant such that people viewing the content would understand that it involves the claimant. Identifying personal information may include:
- The individual’s image or voice
- The individual’s full name
- The individual’s contact details, including home address, email, or telephone number
- The individual’s financial information
- Other personal information
We will generally not find that the first element exists where:
- The video contains only a blurred image of the claimant.
- The video contains a real estate property walkthrough which does not include identifying information such as full address.
- Reasonable Expectation of Privacy
The second element requires that the publication of personal information violates a reasonable expectation of privacy or other legal standards. In considering whether this element is satisfied, we will consider non-exclusive factors such as the following:
- What were the apparent circumstances under which the complainant’s personal information was captured? If the complaint is about a video taken in a public space, the likelihood of a violation is reduced. On the other hand, if the complaint is about a video taken in a private space, such as a person’s home, there is a greater likelihood of a violation.
- Did the claimant consent, impliedly or expressly, to the usage of their information? While the method and nature of consent is relevant, a record of consent is not dispositive in our determination.
- Is the claimant a public figure? If so, there is generally a reduced expectation of privacy.
- How sensitive is the information? We are more likely to find a violation if the publication concerns sensitive personal information.
- What is the purpose of the disclosure? Does it serve a legitimate purpose such as news? Or is it solely to harm? The practice of “doxxing” will not be tolerated on Vimeo.
- Was the complainant a minor when they appeared in the content? Vimeo will remove content that depicts a minor while we evaluate the validity of the complaint.