Governance document

CA-D-000470

Synthesia Privacy Policy

Synthesia

Last change detected July 23, 2026 Privacy policy

SHA-256: 529d9f04826db19aade… 7 versions captured 6 changes documented

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This page describes what the document states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability may vary by jurisdiction. Methodology

62 Total

30 High severity

27 Medium severity

5 Low severity

Key Facts

When will Synthesia disclose Biometric Data?

Synthesia will only disclose, redisclose, or otherwise disseminate Biometric Data when instructed by the Customer as a data controller or as required by applicable State or federal law or municipal ordinance.

Until when does Synthesia store and use Biometric Data collected for identity authentication?

Synthesia stores and uses Biometric Data collected for identity authentication only until it confirms the results of the samples comparison, which usually occurs within a few minutes of submission.

When does Synthesia permanently destroy Biometric Data?

Synthesia permanently destroys your Biometric Data after the relevant processing is completed or when instructed by the Customer, unless retention is otherwise required by law or legal process.

What are the purposes for which Synthesia processes Biometric Data?

Synthesia processes Biometric Data for the purposes of generating a user's Avatar, fine-tuning the AI model to generate new videos with that Avatar, and verifying the user's identity by comparing Biometric Data extracted from the Sample.

Does Synthesia process Biometric Data for generating a user's Avatar?

Until when do Synthesia and its vendors store and use Biometric Data?

Synthesia and its vendors store and use Biometric Data only until it is no longer needed for the achievement of the listed purposes.

How long does Synthesia store and use Biometric Data for Avatar creation?

Synthesia stores and uses Biometric Data for Avatar creation for as long as the Avatar remains available on the Platform or as otherwise instructed by the Customer.

In accordance with what does Synthesia process the Sample?

Synthesia processes the Sample in accordance with the Customer's instructions, including any applicable terms in the Agreement, and as required by applicable law.

Does Synthesia process the Sample in accordance with the Customer's instructions?

Synthesia processes the Sample in accordance with the Customer's instructions, including any applicable terms in the Agreement, and as required by applicable law.

What does Synthesia collect from users during the Avatar creation process?

Synthesia collects a sample submission — which may be an image, video, audio, or combination — from users during the Avatar creation process to serve as the basis for creating an Avatar.

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Summary

Synthesia's privacy policy explains how the company handles your personal and biometric information when you create an AI Avatar. It collects a sample of your image, video, or audio, uses it to build your Avatar and verify your identity, and keeps that data only as long as your Avatar exists or the law requires. Synthesia will not sell or share your biometric information commercially, and it requires your consent before collecting or processing any of it.

Analysis

This privacy policy establishes Synthesia's obligations and limitations regarding the collection, processing, retention, and sharing of personal and biometric data in connection with its Avatar creation platform. Synthesia collects biometric-capable samples (image, video, audio, or combinations) from users as a required step in Avatar creation, and processes Biometric Data strictly for Avatar generation, AI model fine-tuning on that Avatar, and identity verification by sample comparison. Retention of Biometric Data is tied to specific technical events and purposes: authentication data is held only until comparison is confirmed (typically minutes), Avatar-creation data persists only as long as the Avatar remains available on the Platform or as the Customer directs, and permanent destruction is the default outcome upon completion of processing or Customer instruction, subject only to legal retention obligations. Biometric Data disclosure is restricted to Customer instructions or legal requirements, and commercial exploitation of Biometric Data — including by Synthesia's vendors — is categorically prohibited.

What this means for you

As an individual user, your biometric data — the image, video, or audio sample you submit — is used only to create your Avatar, fine-tune the AI model for that Avatar, and verify your identity. Synthesia will not extract or process your Biometric Data at all without your prior consent, so you can refuse consent to prevent any of that collection and processing from occurring. Once your Avatar is deleted from the Platform or the Customer instructs deletion, Synthesia permanently destroys your Biometric Data, unless a legal obligation requires retention. Neither Synthesia nor its vendors may sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit from your Biometric Data.

Institutional Analysis

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6 important changes detected

7 versions captured · Last updated: July 2026

July 23, 2026

low

What changed Synthesia's updated privacy policy now explicitly discloses that voice and text inputs from demo experiences are processed as part of their data collection. The policy expanded its list of data types processed for platform improvement to include 'Other information you choose to provide' alongside usage information. This clarifies what data the company processes when users interact with demo features and product testing experiences.

Why this matters The updated policy now explicitly discloses that voice and text inputs provided during demo experience interactions are collected and processed. This clarifies existing data collection practices around demo features rather than introducing new collection. The policy states these inputs are processed to improve the platform and underlying technologies.

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July 8, 2026

low

What changed Synthesia updated its website footer navigation to reorganize product use case categories. Previously listed categories like 'Educational Videos', 'Employee Training Videos', and 'Instructional Videos' were replaced with 'Explainer Videos', 'Training Videos', 'Internal Communications', and 'Onboarding Videos'. This is a website organizational change with no operational impact on the privacy policy itself or how user data is collected, processed, or disclosed.

Why this matters This change does not materially affect consumer privacy rights, data collection practices, or terms of service. The updated text reflects only a reorganization of website navigation categories in the footer menu.

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July 4, 2026 low

Synthesia removed 'Sitemap' from the footer navigation links in their Privacy Policy document on July 4, 2026. The before version included a 'Sitemap' link at the end of the footer; …

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June 28, 2026 low

Synthesia added 'Interactive Avatars' to its product features list in the navigation menu on June 28, 2026. This is a product listing update, not a policy or terms change. The …

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June 21, 2026 low

Synthesia's privacy policy was updated on June 21, 2026 to change a single phrase in the opening statement. The policy previously described Synthesia as 'a #1 AI Video Platform for …

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June 5, 2026 low

Synthesia's privacy policy footer was updated on June 5, 2026, changing one navigation link in the company information section. The previous link to 'Ethics Guidelines' was replaced with a link …

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Featured, High severity

Biometric data disclosed only in limited circumstances Compare →

This clause restricts Synthesia's ability to disseminate Biometric Data to two named circumstances, limiting broader discretionary sharing.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 288 platforms
Biometric data for verification deleted within minutes Compare →

The clause ties the retention period to a specific, short-duration technical event, minimising how long authentication-purpose Biometric Data is held.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 275 platforms
Biometric data permanently destroyed after processing Compare →

The clause establishes permanent destruction as the default outcome for Biometric Data, with a carve-out only for legal obligations to retain.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 275 platforms
Biometric data processed for avatar generation and fine-tuning Compare →

The clause defines the specific purposes for which Biometric Data may be processed, which bounds the lawful scope of Synthesia's use.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 279 platforms
Biometric data retained only until purpose fulfilled Compare →

The clause binds both Synthesia and its vendors to a purpose-limited retention standard, preventing indefinite storage of Biometric Data.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 275 platforms
Biometric data retained while avatar remains on platform Compare →

The clause ties the Biometric Data retention period directly to the Avatar's availability, meaning the data persists as long as the Avatar does unless the Customer intervenes.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 275 platforms
Customer Sample processed per Customer instructions Compare →

The clause establishes that the Customer, not Synthesia, directs how the Sample is processed, making the Customer's instructions the primary constraint on Synthesia's processing.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 279 platforms
Synthesia collects avatar sample biometric submissions Compare →

The clause establishes that Synthesia actively solicits biometric-capable media from users as a required step in Avatar creation.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 296 platforms
Synthesia does not sell or rent personal information Compare →

The clause establishes a categorical prohibition on two specific forms of commercial transfer of personal information to third parties.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 288 platforms
Synthesia prohibits sale or profit from biometric data Compare →

The clause extends the prohibition on commercial exploitation of Biometric Data to Synthesia's vendors, closing a potential gap through third-party arrangements.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 245 platforms
Synthesia uses usage data to improve AI models Compare →

The clause establishes that user interaction and service-performance data are actively processed for Synthesia's own platform improvement and research purposes.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 279 platforms
User consent required before biometric data extraction Compare →

The clause makes consent a prerequisite for all Biometric Data extraction, processing, and identity verification, giving users a meaningful opt-out.

Added July 10, 2026 Standard Seen across 290 platforms