Zoom is unarguably the video calling platform that enjoyed the bulk of new users following the lockdown procedures put in place due to the pandemic. The latest report from the company says that free users will not be able to use its end-to-end encryption; it will be available for only users who pay.
Bloomberg had broken the news following an updated article on the company’s earnings call on Tuesday, 2nd June 2020. Eric Yuan, Zoom’s CEO had commented on the measures that the company was putting in place to tackle its many security issues. He mentioned that Zoom will be unrolling an end-to-end encryption feature to make users feel safer.
While he said that ‘corporate clients’ will get access to it; he also disclosed that free users will not get to use it. Yuan had explained why saying:
“Free users for sure we don’t want to give that because we also want to work together with FBI, with local law enforcement in case some people use Zoom for a bad purpose.”
Also read:
– Learn About $5 Billion Lawsuit Accusing Google Chrome Of Tracking Users In Incognito Mode
– Trump’s Team Accuses Snapchat Of Trying To Rig 2020 Election After It Removes His Contents From ‘Discover’
– Huawei Accuses The US Of Targeting It Because Of 5G Technology Footrace
This news will be heartbreaking because a large number of the current millions of Zoom users are free users. Also, Yuan’s explanation is confusing. Is Zoom’s CEO saying that free users are likely to be the ones perpetrating the unethical acts on calls? Or is he saying that those perpetrating the acts will not be able to afford to pay to use Zoom?
It is important to note that without this encryption feature, third-parties can listen to your Zoom calls.
According to ZDNet’s report, a spokeswoman on behalf of Zoom tried to explain why free users will not be getting the end-to-end encryption feature, she said:
“Zoom’s end-to-end encryption plan balances the privacy of its users with the safety of vulnerable groups, including children and potential victims of hate crimes.
“We plan to provide end-to-end encryption to users for whom we can verify identity. Free users sign up with an email address, which does not provide enough information to verify identity.”
Still, this move might lead to a mass exodus of some of these users that Zoom currently boasts of having.
For your daily dose of tech, lifestyle and trending content, make sure to follow Plat4om on Twitter @Plat4omLive, on Instagram @Plat4om, on LinkedIn at Plat4om, and on Facebook at Plat4om. You can also email us at info@plat4om.com. Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.
