Have you ever been in a meeting, diligently taking notes, only to realize that Otter.ai has silently joined and is transcribing everything? While Otter.ai can be an incredibly useful tool for many, there are times when its presence isn't desired – perhaps due to privacy concerns, sensitive meeting content, or simply a preference for manual note-taking. If you're nodding along, then you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to remove Otter.ai from your meetings and regain control of your virtual space.
Step 1: Let's Assess the Situation Together!
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's take a moment to understand why Otter.ai might be joining your meetings. Is it set to auto-join all meetings? Did someone else invite it? Is it a browser extension, or an integrated app within your meeting platform? Knowing the source will help us tackle the issue effectively. Think about your recent meetings where Otter.ai appeared. Was it a Zoom call, a Microsoft Teams gathering, or a Google Meet session? The approach might vary slightly depending on the platform.
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| How To Remove Otter Ai From Meetings |
Step 2: Stopping Otter.ai from Auto-Joining Future Meetings
This is often the most common reason for unwanted Otter.ai appearances. OtterPilot, its automatic meeting joiner, is designed for convenience but can be a privacy concern if not managed.
Sub-heading 2.1: Disabling OtterPilot within Otter.ai Settings
This is your primary control panel for Otter.ai's auto-join feature.
Sign in to your Otter.ai account: Open your web browser and go to
otter.ai Navigate to Account Settings: Once logged in, look for your profile icon or your name in the top left corner of the screen. Click on it, and then select "Account Settings".
Access Meeting Settings: Within Account Settings, you'll see various tabs. Click on the "Meetings" tab.
Disable OtterPilot: Scroll down until you find the "OtterPilot" section. Here, you'll likely see a toggle switch next to "Auto-join all meetings". Toggle this switch to the OFF position. You might be prompted to confirm your action; select "Yes, turn them off".
Pro-Tip: While you're here, also check for options like "Send pre-recording emails" and "Auto-share settings for conversations and meetings." Disabling these can further enhance your privacy and control.
Sub-heading 2.2: Reviewing and Disconnecting Calendar Integrations
Otter.ai often auto-joins by syncing with your calendar (Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, etc.).
Go to Integrations/Apps in Otter.ai Settings: Still in your Otter.ai "Account Settings," look for a section or tab named "Apps" or "Integrations".
Locate Connected Calendars: You'll see a list of applications connected to your Otter.ai account. Find your connected calendar (e.g., Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar).
Disconnect the Calendar: Click on the option to disconnect or revoke access for your calendar. This will prevent Otter.ai from scanning your schedule and automatically joining meetings.
Step 3: Removing Otter.ai from a Live Meeting
What if Otter.ai has already crashed your party? Don't worry, you can still kick it out! The method varies slightly depending on whether you're the meeting host or a participant.
QuickTip: Re-reading helps retention.
Sub-heading 3.1: From the Otter.ai Home Page Calendar
If you have your Otter.ai dashboard open:
Navigate to the Calendar Section: On the right side of your Otter.ai home page, you'll usually see a calendar section displaying ongoing and upcoming meetings.
Locate the Live Recording: Find the current meeting where Otter.ai is actively recording.
Stop Recording: Click the "stop recording" button next to that meeting.
Confirm Removal: A confirmation prompt will appear. Click "Yes, turn it off" to remove Otter.ai from the meeting.
Sub-heading 3.2: Via Conversation Controls within Otter.ai
If you're already viewing the live transcription in Otter.ai:
Go to My Conversations: In your Otter.ai account, navigate to "My Conversations" and select the conversation that is currently being recorded.
Click Stop OtterPilot: In the control playback bar (usually at the bottom or top of the conversation view), you'll see a "Stop OtterPilot" button. Click it.
Confirm Removal: Confirm the action by clicking "Yes, turn it off".
Sub-heading 3.3: Directly from Your Meeting Platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
If you are the host or have presenter permissions, you can remove Otter.ai just like any other participant.
For Zoom:
During the meeting, click on "Participants".
Locate "Otter.ai" or "OtterPilot" in the participant list.
Hover over their name and click "More" or the three dots (...).
Select "Remove".
For Microsoft Teams:
During the meeting, click on "People" or the participants icon.
Find "Otter.ai" in the list of attendees.
Click the three dots (...) next to its name.
Select "Remove from meeting".
For Google Meet:
During the meeting, click on the "People" icon (usually at the bottom right).
Locate "Otter.ai" in the participant list.
Click the three dots (...) next to its name.
Select "Remove" or "Remove from call".
Important Note: If you are not the host, you'll need to ask the meeting host to remove Otter.ai.
Step 4: Uninstalling Otter.ai Integrations and Extensions
Sometimes, Otter.ai might be integrated in ways beyond its core application.
Sub-heading 4.1: Removing Browser Extensions
If you've installed an Otter.ai browser extension (e.g., for Chrome), it can sometimes automatically activate.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
For Google Chrome:
Type
chrome://extensionsinto your browser's address bar and press Enter.Find the "Otter.ai" extension in the list.
Toggle it off or click "Remove" to uninstall it completely.
For Mozilla Firefox:
Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
Select "Add-ons and themes".
Go to "Extensions".
Find the "Otter.ai" add-on and click the three dots (...) next to it, then choose "Remove".
For Microsoft Edge:
Click the three dots (...) in the top right corner.
Go to "Extensions".
Find the "Otter.ai" extension and click "Remove".
Sub-heading 4.2: Uninstalling Otter.ai from Microsoft Teams Apps
If Otter.ai was added as an app to your Microsoft Teams environment:
Open Microsoft Teams.
Go to the "Apps" tab on the left sidebar.
Search for "Otter.ai".
Click the three dots (...) next to Otter.ai.
Select "Uninstall" or "Remove".
Sub-heading 4.3: Revoking Permissions in Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 (for Admins)
If you're an administrator for your organization's Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, you have more granular control.
For Google Workspace (Admin Console):
Navigate to the Google Workspace Admin console.
Go to "Apps" > "Google Workspace Marketplace apps".
Locate "Otter.ai" and remove it from your organization's allowed apps.
For Microsoft 365 (Teams Admin Center/Entra ID):
Access the Microsoft Teams Admin Center or Azure Active Directory (now Entra ID).
Navigate to "Teams apps" > "Permission policies". You can create or modify a policy to block Otter.ai.
Alternatively, in Entra ID, go to "Enterprise Applications" > "Otter.ai". From here, you can remove users who have access to the application or disable sign-in options.
Advanced Admin Tip: Consider blocking the
otter.aidomain in your external access settings for Microsoft Teams to prevent its bots from joining as anonymous users. Also, setting up a waiting room for meetings and disabling anonymous join can add another layer of security.
Step 5: Considering Account Deletion (Last Resort)
If you want to completely sever ties with Otter.ai and ensure no data remains, you can delete your account. Be aware that this is an irreversible action and will delete all your transcripts and data.
Sign in to your Otter.ai account.
Go to "Account Settings".
Scroll to the very bottom of the main panel.
You should find an option like "Delete account".
Follow the prompts to confirm your identity and delete your account.
Important: Even after deleting your Otter.ai account, if it had OAuth permissions granted to your mail system (e.g., Microsoft 365), you might need to revoke those permissions manually in your Microsoft 365 Defender for Cloud Apps or similar security portal. This ensures Otter.ai no longer has access to your mailbox or calendar for meeting invitations.
Step 6: Confirmation and Maintenance
After taking the necessary steps, it's crucial to confirm that Otter.ai is no longer joining your meetings.
Schedule a Test Meeting: Set up a quick, short test meeting (even if it's just with yourself or a colleague).
Monitor Participants: Pay close attention to the participant list. If Otter.ai doesn't appear, you've likely succeeded!
Communicate with Colleagues: If Otter.ai was used by your team, inform them about the changes and any new policies regarding meeting transcriptions. Encourage them to manually disable OtterPilot in their own accounts if they are still using it.
Regularly Review Settings: Periodically check your Otter.ai settings and your meeting platform integrations to ensure no accidental re-enabling has occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to removing Otter.ai from meetings, with quick answers:
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
How to stop Otter.ai from automatically joining all my meetings?
You can disable OtterPilot's "Auto-join all meetings" feature in your Otter.ai account settings under the "Meetings" tab.
How to remove Otter.ai from a live Zoom meeting?
As the host, click "Participants," find "Otter.ai," click the three dots, and select "Remove."
How to prevent Otter.ai from joining future Microsoft Teams meetings?
Disable auto-join in Otter.ai settings, uninstall the Otter.ai app from Teams, and (for admins) block the Otter.ai domain in the Teams Admin Center.
How to disconnect Otter.ai from my Google Calendar?
In Otter.ai's "Account Settings" under the "Apps" or "Integrations" section, find your connected Google Calendar and revoke its access.
How to uninstall the Otter.ai Chrome extension?
Go to chrome://extensions in your browser, find the Otter.ai extension, and click "Remove."
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
How to check if Otter.ai is still connected to my meeting platforms?
Review the "Apps" or "Integrations" sections within your Otter.ai account settings, and check your meeting platform's list of connected applications or extensions.
How to remove Otter.ai from a meeting if I'm not the host?
You will need to ask the meeting host to remove Otter.ai from the participant list during the live meeting.
How to ensure Otter.ai doesn't share meeting summaries automatically?
In your Otter.ai "Account Settings" under the "Meetings" tab, turn off "Auto-share settings for conversations and meetings."
How to delete my entire Otter.ai account?
Log in to Otter.ai, go to "Account Settings," and at the bottom, you'll find the "Delete account" option. Be aware this is irreversible.
How to block Otter.ai at an organizational level (for IT Admins)?
Admins can block the Otter.ai application in the Microsoft Teams Admin Center or Google Workspace Admin Console, and consider blocking the otter.ai domain.
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