Zero Data Retention (ZDR)
Zero Data Retention (ZDR)
Zero Data Retention (ZDR) is an organization add-on that stops Vapi from storing call content after a call ends. ZDR applies across your entire organization once active. Use it when your organization must not retain recordings, transcripts, or logs in Vapi.
How it works
With ZDR active, Vapi processes each call in real time but does not save call content to its storage. Vapi does not retain recordings, transcripts, messages, summaries, or structured outputs. Vapi keeps only operational metadata, such as call history, cost, and latency, so those still appear in the Dashboard.
ZDR is an organization-level add-on enabled from the Dashboard. It is not a setting in the API.
ZDR and HIPAA mode are mutually exclusive. HIPAA mode additionally supports a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), requires HIPAA-compliant providers, and lets you retrieve recordings and logs from private storage. To switch, cancel one add-on before enabling the other. See HIPAA Compliance to compare.
Enable ZDR
In the Vapi Dashboard, select your Organization, then select Settings, then Billing & Add-Ons. Under Add-ons, toggle Zero Data Retention (ZDR) to on.
Keeping your own copy of call data is optional. To retain recording files, transcripts, and logs, configure a storage bucket. To save structured outputs, subscribe to the end-of-call-report webhook. Set this up before enabling ZDR because once ZDR is active, any call content you do not send to your own systems cannot be recovered.
Verify it works
Place a test call, then open it in the Dashboard. The call appears in your call history with cost and latency, but the transcript, recording, and analysis are empty.