Do I need to disclose Stream Chat in my privacy policy?

Yes. Stream Chat processes personal data including chat messages, user profiles, and interaction metadata on your behalf as a data processor. GDPR, CCPA, and similar regulations require you to disclose this third-party data processing in your privacy policy and ensure a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is executed with Stream.io Inc.

What specific data does Stream Chat collect?

Stream Chat collects chat messages and attachments, user profiles and presence status, message reactions and threads, channel membership data, read receipts, and typing indicators. All message content is stored on Stream's servers in the United States, though EU data residency options are available. Users should be informed that their communications are processed by this third party.

Does Stream Chat require a cookie consent banner?

Stream Chat itself does not use cookies. However, if your website uses other tracking technologies or if Stream Chat's SDKs load any third-party resources that employ cookies, you may need consent management. Review your specific implementation to confirm whether additional consent notices are necessary.

Who processes data from Stream Chat and where is it stored?

Stream.io Inc., a United States-based company, acts as your data processor. Data is primarily stored on U.S. servers, but Stream offers EU data residency options for GDPR compliance. You can review Stream's privacy practices at https://getstream.io/legal/privacy/ and should maintain a DPA documenting their SOC 2 Type II certification and compliance obligations.

Social & Communication

Privacy policy clauses for Stream Chat

Stream Chat is a real-time messaging and chat infrastructure service that enables websites and applications to embed live communication features. It processes chat messages, user profiles, and interaction data on behalf of website operators, requiring specific privacy policy disclosures.

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What data Stream Chat collects

Your privacy policy must disclose each of the following data types when you use Stream Chat.

Chat messages and attachments

User profiles and presence status

Message reactions and threads

Channel membership data

Read receipts and typing indicators

When does Stream Chat trigger privacy obligations?

Installation triggers immediate obligations

The moment you integrate Stream Chat into your application or website, message content, user profiles, presence status, read receipts, and typing indicators begin flowing to Stream.io Inc.'s servers in the United States. This data movement activates specific compliance duties:

### GDPR (if users are EU residents)

You become a data controller; Stream.io is a processor. GDPR Article 28 requires a Data Processing Agreement (DPA)

Privacy policy clauses for Stream Chat

What data Stream Chat collects

When does Stream Chat trigger privacy obligations?

Installation triggers immediate obligations

Where data goes

Common compliance pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Treating message content as non-sensitive

Pitfall 2: No Data Processing Agreement

Pitfall 3: Forgetting international data transfers

Legal note

Sample privacy policy clause

What regulators look for

European Data Protection Authorities (EDPB)

US FTC

California Attorney General (CCAG)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to disclose Stream Chat in my privacy policy?

What specific data does Stream Chat collect?

Does Stream Chat require a cookie consent banner?

Who processes data from Stream Chat and where is it stored?

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