Zoom has acknowledged it has no plans to offer end-to-end encrypted video conference calls to users of its free service, because it wants to work with law enforcement agencies like the FBI.
In a startling admission, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan says it only plans to offer the industry standard encryption technology to its paying and enterprise users. Schools will have access to end-to-end security too.
Yuan said in the recent earnings call (via The Verge): “Free users — for sure we don’t want to give [them] that, because we also want to work together with the FBI, with local law enforcement, in case some people use Zoom for a bad purpose.”
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Naturally, those comments have caused a fair amount of controversy. Not just because Zoom seems to consider basic security something that should only be provided to those who wish to pay for the privilege. It also appears that Zoom is on board with selling out free users to the authorities if they believe there’s cause to.
Wow. I had defended Zoom's position in the past, and they've hired good people, including some friends, but… this is bullshit. Especially right now when law enforcement is literally violating the civil rights of so many, which is one reason WHY we NEED encryption. https://t.co/lsJ2aYaNni
— Mike Masnick (@mmasnick) June 3, 2020
"I no longer wish to support your company now that you have said you will not offer encryption to free users so you can cooperate with law enforcement. I don't do business with cops, or with those who willingly support them."
— Joel Alan Gaffney (@JagAttorney) June 3, 2020
Sigh… this is *not* the right way to go about encryption, @zoom_us. Security and privacy shouldn’t be a luxury feature. https://t.co/mH12onXZHQ
— Whitney Merrill (@wbm312) June 3, 2020
This revelation should give those using Zoom to meet up with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic pause before they continue using the Skype rival, once social distancing restrictions come to an end.
Paid Zoom accounts start at $15 per month with a host of options depending on how many hosts per account, maximum number of participants and the cloud storage options sought by the customer. Free users offer the ability to host 100 participants, in unlimited one-on-one meetings, and places a 40-minute limit on group meetings.
Zoom has been riddled with security concerns since it became popular in the early part of 2020. There have been several highly publicised and unsavoury Zoombombing instances where uninvited parties have been able to jump into meetings – often with explicit consequences.
Back in April a security update targeted those concerns, but end-to-end encryption is still missing at this moment in time. Unless you’re prepared to pay for it, it always will be.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
