Zoom will implement new security measures for its free users in response to a growing number of ‘Zoom-bombing’ incidents.
The company said on Wednesday it will be updating default password settings for all account types and it will also require that users set passwords for meetings and webinars, including events which were scheduled before 9 May, when the new measures are set to be implemented.
Zoom will also make its Waiting Room feature enabled by default for the Personal Meeting ID for all account types.
In a move which is likely a response to the numerous ‘Zoom-bombing’ incidents, where hackers crash a meeting to share offensive content, the company also announced that their Screen sharing feature will be limited to the host exclusively. With this, even if hackers manage to join a video conference, they will not be able to show other users offensive content from their screens.
While all free/basic accounts will see the changes implemented this week, Pro, API, Business, Education, and Enterprise accounts will receive the update on 30 May.
The announcement comes after an online tasting event, hosted by a Prestwich-based wine merchant, was hacked by a ‘Zoom-bomber’, who shared child porn material to the 60-70 unsuspecting participants.
Last month, Zoom's stock price dropped nearly 14.5%, as numerous school systems, including the New York City Department of Education, moved to ban Zoom entirely. The video conferencing platform has also been outlawed by Google, SpaceX, and the FBI.
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Zoom also announced on Wednesday the appointment of a new independent director on Zoom’s Board of Directors, the role being given to former US National Security Advisor Lieutenant General Herbert Raymond “H.R.” McMaster. The company also chose Jonathan “Josh” Kallmer to take over as the head of Global Public Policy and Government Relations, starting 26 May.
Last week, Zoom quietly edited a blog post claiming the number of daily users the platform had. The company stated earlier this month that it had “more than 300 million daily users” and “more than 300 million people around the world are using Zoom during this challenging time”. These claims have since been deleted, and the company now says it has “300 million daily Zoom meeting participants.”
