Is Synthesia safe for UK schools?

AI Prefect rates Synthesia Amber for staff use (Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Doesn’t say where data is stored; No school DPA found; 4 of 6 key fields not stated) and Red for pupil use (Supplier says it is not for pupils). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-23. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.

Does Synthesia train on our data?

According to the supplier's published documents: no pre-training on customer inputs/outputs; fine-tuning only if customer instructs.

Where is Synthesia data stored?

Not stated in the supplier's published documents.

What age is Synthesia for?

Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.

Is there a safer alternative to Synthesia?

Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: Descript (amber), Pictory (amber).

Synthesia

Synthesia Ltd · AI video avatars · Last checked 2026-10-23

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Rating: a rules-based summary of the supplier’s published terms. Not legal advice and not a substitute for a DPIA. How it’s worked out

Staff: AMBER Use with caution

Why amber:

Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller
Doesn’t say where data is stored
No school DPA found
4 of 6 key fields not stated

Pupils: RED Not recommended for school data

Why red:

Supplier says it is not for pupils

How is this rated?

Key facts

Trains on what you type: No
Where data is stored: Not stated
Minimum age: Not stated
Use case: AI video creation
Sector: Schools, Further education (FE), Higher education (HE)
Research status: Sourced

Safer alternatives

Same main use (AI video creation) and sector, rated better for the same audience. Alternatives are suggested from our published ratings; check they meet your needs. How alternatives are chosen

For staff use

No better-rated alternative found yet: here’s what to look for.

It acts as a processor for your school (not a controller)
It doesn’t train its AI on what you type
Data stays in the UK/EU, or transfer safeguards (standard contractual clauses, the UK IDTA or adequacy) are stated
There is a data processing agreement (DPA) for schools
The minimum age fits your pupils, or pupils use it through a school account

We’ve logged this gap and will research tools for it in our weekly update.

For pupil use

Descript · Amber
5 caution points: Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller
Pictory · Amber
5 caution points: Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller

New here? Each field has a short explanation underneath. Our getting started guide explains what to look for and what to do next.

About the tool

SupplierThe company that makes and runs the tool.: Synthesia Ltd
WebsiteWhere we found the main information about the tool.: https://www.synthesia.io/
CategoryWhat sort of tool it is, for example a chatbot or a lesson-planning helper.: AI video avatars
Pupil-facingWhether pupils use it directly, or only staff. Pupil use needs extra care.: no - typically staff

Your data

Processor or controllerA processor only uses data on your school’s instructions. A controller makes its own decisions about the data, which means your school has less say.: not stated
Where data is storedWhich country the data is stored in. UK or EU storage is usually simpler for schools.: not stated
Trains AI models on inputsWhether what you type (or upload) may be used to improve the supplier’s AI. “No” is what you want for anything about pupils or staff.: no pre-training on customer inputs/outputs; fine-tuning only if customer instructs
How long inputs are keptHow long the supplier keeps what you type before deleting it.: deleted up to 90 days after termination; custom-avatar biometrics kept while the avatar exists

Agreements and contacts

Privacy noticeThe supplier’s privacy notice: their own explanation of what they do with personal data.: https://www.synthesia.io/legal/privacy-policy
Data processing agreement (DPA)The data processing agreement: the contract that sets out how the supplier must look after your school’s data.: not stated
Signs individual DPAs with schoolsWhether the supplier will sign a data agreement with your school specifically, rather than just standard online terms.: not stated
UK GDPR representative / DPOWhether the supplier names a data protection officer or UK representative you can contact about data questions.: not stated

Age and safety

Minimum ageThe youngest age the supplier allows to use the tool. Check this before any pupil uses it.: not stated
Key safety noteAnything else worth knowing, such as admin controls or content filtering.: UK-headquartered; custom avatars involve biometric data
Research statusHow complete our research on this tool is.: sourced

Sources

synthesia.iohttps://www.synthesia.io/legal/ai-governance-practices
synthesia.iohttps://www.synthesia.io/legal/privacy-policy
synthesia.iohttps://www.synthesia.io/legal/security-practices

Change history

No changes recorded since this entry was first published.

See all recent changes

Quick answers

Is Synthesia safe for UK schools?: AI Prefect rates Synthesia Amber for staff use (Doesn’t say if it is a processor or controller; Doesn’t say where data is stored; No school DPA found; 4 of 6 key fields not stated) and Red for pupil use (Supplier says it is not for pupils). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-23. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.
Does Synthesia train on our data?: According to the supplier's published documents: no pre-training on customer inputs/outputs; fine-tuning only if customer instructs.
Where is Synthesia data stored?: Not stated in the supplier's published documents.
What age is Synthesia for?: Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.
Is there a safer alternative to Synthesia?: Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: Descript (amber), Pictory (amber).

Generated only from the facts above. “Not stated” means the supplier doesn’t publish it.

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