After taking all the heat for not being secure, in the last couple of weeks, Zoom has [finally] succeeded in adding end-to-end encryption for groups. What this means is that, if researchers verify that this feature is actually working (and it seems it is), this would instantly propel Zoom into being one of the most secure solutions for online meetings of any kind, video or otherwise. Note that enabling this feature in your Settings tab will disable certain other capabilities — like join before host, cloud recording, streaming, live transcription, Breakout Rooms, polling, and meeting reactions. (Many will miss the breakout room feature. Bummer. But hey – we should have known.) Learn more at https://blog.zoom.us/zoom-rolling-out-end-to-end-encryption-offering/.
3) Quietly, Zoom Adds End-To-End Encryption
I don’t know why you are continuing to push a product that has actively worked with the Chinese government… Data was shared which resulted in many many house church members being arrested at the same time. Zoom has repeatedly lied about their security and their capabilities. Why do you continue to advertise for Zoom when there are plenty of other tools out there?
I will not trust this company, no matter what they claim:
https://www.christianpost.com/news/police-violently-raid-house-church-in-china-drag-out-worshipers-video.html
Zoom is facing another lawsuit alleging that the video communications company has deceived consumers by making false claims about its privacy measures.
FOX Business reports that the most recent lawsuit was filed by Consumer Watchdog on behalf of Washington, D.C., consumers. In a Monday filing, Consumer Watchdog claimed that Zoom has made false representations about the platform’s security, such as its being equipped with “end-to-end encryption.”
Such encryption, says the lawsuit, was one way in which Zoom touted its privacy features as a way to “distinguish itself from competitors and attract new consumers.”
“The consequences of Zoom’s false pretenses of end-to-end encryption are far-reaching and incredibly concerning,” Consumer Watchdog staff attorney Benjamin Powell said in a Tuesday press release. “Clients in the medical field, for example, were assured by Zoom that its platform was secure enough to transmit confidential medical information between physician and client.”
Consumer Watchdog says there are likely “tends of thousands of Zoom users in Washington, D.C.,” many of whom were misled by the company’s assurances of adequate security.
https://www.legalreader.com/lawsuit-zoom-lied-security-measures-end-to-end-encryption/
I agree 100% with James. Keep in mind that China’s regulatory scheme is vastly different than most other nations. In China, the government requires all businesses to give the government full access to ALL business records. Their government has direct access to businesses’ computer systems. There is no such a thing as encryption in China, as the government has a back door into every computer system and program. There are zero secrets. Zoom is a Chinese-owned company, thus its primary servers are located there. The Chinese government has a penchant for storing data on any and all matters they can get their hands on. It would be foolish to think that anything you say or write on Zoom would not be captured and stored in Chinese government servers. A word to the wise.
Larry, Laura, Andy, and James – Thanks soooooooo much for your input. Our understanding was that, indeed, Zoom misled the public and should face justice for it. However, THIS end-to-end encryption was said to be REAL. So our point was, if this indeed turns out to be REAL, they would immediately become reliable — because end-to-end encryption would keep even employees from listening in, right? That was our only point. So now it’s up to the tech world to test whether or not this end-to-end encryption is TRUE. Correct?
But for the record, remember that we loved Big Blue Button (https://brigada.org/2020/05/10_29057 ) but, when we TESTED it, at the time, it didn’t provide the bandwidth needed for a 25-person conference — at the time. Anyway, the principle is — we aren’t “continuing” to recommend Zoom. We only suggested that if they’ve now truly created end-to-end encryption, we should try it.
Even if they enable end to end, there are plenty of ways to put backdoors. So, NO, even if they claim it’s safe, you should NOT try it. They’ve proven again and again they want access to the data, and that they collude with the Chinese communist party giving that data, even on USA users only interacting with USA users… Its insane to give them any more chances. They’ve destroyed so many Christians lives already. Already persecuted /closed so many online churches in china.
Why would I want to support this company in any way at all?!!!!?
Nope.
I was disappointed to read the comments that Zoom is Chinese-owned and working against the Chinese church because I wouldn’t want to be supporting it in that case. I looked up Zoom on the internet and found this article which is about the Chinese-born founder, Eric Yuan, who immigrated to the US and lives in California. https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-zoom-billionaire-eric-yuan-career-net-worth-life?op=1#while-yuan-says-his-newfound-wealth-doesnt-particularly-excite-him-he-is-eager-to-see-what-he-hopes-will-be-a-permanent-change-in-the-way-we-work-15
I would be interested to know if there is other information that links him closely to China, because from this story it looks like a classic story of an immigrant who worked hard (including for Cisco who turned down his Zoom idea) and made a fortune. I don’t want to spread rumours.