Zoom updated its security features to help keep more meetings secure. The videoconferencing software currently hides meeting ID numbers from its title bar disallowing the capture of such through screenshots. The imposition was implemented after a government official exposed information of a sensitive government call using the screenshot feature while videoconferencing through Zoom. Taiwan also banned the app in its jurisdiction over security concerns.
Zoom now hides meeting ID numbers whenever the user uses the screenshot feature. The update was relatively minor including the incorporation of a built-in security menu button in the meeting host's toolbar. An invite button was also added.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson took a screenshot of his remote Zoom meeting and exposed the meeting ID to a sensitive government call. It exposed the ID numbers and the report noted that it was essential for Zoom users to keep ID numbers private to protect against unwanted attendees. Hence, the Zoom update was imposed.
Earlier this month, Zoom announced that for 90 days, a feature freeze would impose a feature to improve its privacy and security issues. The company has been scrutinized during the pandemic when its user base grew by 200 million from only 10 million a few months ago.
Researchers also discovered that the privacy and security issues including one that forced the company to rewrite parts of its policy were necessary after users' personal information was used to target ads. The company then admitted that the feature misled people about the use of its end-to-end encryption.
"Zoombombing" was also considered as a persistent issue with the company when people started entering Zoom calls where they aired offensive material to participants. Federal prosecutors considered these acts as federal offenses that could result in fines, even imprisonment.
The company also announced that more updates would be observed as Zoom continues to address multiple security and privacy issues. It also noted that the updates would be progressing given that more people keep on logging onto the service for communication purposes.
In other news, Business Insider reported that the Taiwanese government banned all official use of Zoom after video conferencing services were routed through China. Some security issues raised against the company included a lack of measures to protect encrypts user data, potential theft of user data, and leaked email addresses.
Taiwan continues to have fraught relations with China after the latter claimed that the island is part of its jurisdiction. Last Tuesday, a statement by the Taiwanese government's executive branch stated that if agencies need to conduct videoconferences for business needs, they should not use Zoom.
It was also announced that all major international information service providers that offer free software during the epidemic including Google and Microsoft are better alternatives. The Taiwanese government believed that these companies passed their security risk assessment and are the only ones to be considered for future use of its citizens.
