Not many of us has heard of Zoom until this year. Now Zoom, a video conferencing platform, has become part of our everyday vocabulary. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have used Zoom to stay virtually connected. “Daily downloads of the Zoom app have increased 30x year-over-year and the app has been the top free app for iPhones in the United States since March 18, according to Bernstein Research and Apptopia.” Zoom has gone from an average of 10 million daily users to 200 million daily users, according to Reuters. However, nothing is picture perfect. There has been ongoing criticism about Zoom, making this simple, video conferencing service more perilous for users.
Security researchers have identified Zoom as a “privacy disaster.” The media has created the term "Zoombombing” to highlight several incidents of hackers infiltrating Zoom meetings to shout racial slurs and other forms of harassment. Zoom’s vulnerability is worrisome. How can you prevent unwanted guests? Zoom doesn’t offer encrypted video conferencing, and consequently meetings can be accessed easily by anyone who has a hidden agenda.
This year wasn’t the first time the CEO of Zoom, Eric Yuan, faced adversity. Last year, hackers were able to turn on a user’s webcam without him/her knowing. Furthermore, hackers were able to sharescreen without users’ acknowledgement to share offensive images, such as pornography to children, family and businesses. These privacy breaches have made Zoom not a trustworthy platform. The FBI is currently investigating these incidents, along with more than 240 reports of a Zoom participant broadcasting child sexual abuse material. Zoom has become a danger to society.
From March to June 2020, Zoom was the most utilized tool for preschoolers to college aged students to continue their education remotely. Zoom held online classes where students can still hear their teachers’ instructions. In mid-March, 1.1 million NYC public school children moved to remote learning overnight. Shortly afterwards, the NYC Department of Education (DOE) banned its teachers from using Zoom to teach virtually due to safety and privacy concerns. By May, the DOE has reversed its ban on Zoom. But, as an educator, I still find it uncomfortable to use Zoom to interact with parents and students, it’s not trustworthy.
Covid-19 cases has continued to rise in the US, Zoom is still much needed now more than ever in every community as we sustain socially distance practices. Many online apps are vulnerable to hacking. Zoom’s flaw derives from requiring clients to download its most updated software. Falcn Lab can create video and chat solutions without the need to download any software. Our company can encrypt video and secure data. We can detect any security breach that can ruin the integrity of your business. We can work together closely to combat the downfalls of being on the internet. Feel free to request a free quote from us.