Motherboard reported that on April 15, 2020, there were two zero Zoom days for macOS and Windows, respectively, that were selling for $500,000. [138] Security bug brokers sold access to Zoom`s vulnerabilities that could allow remote access to users` computers. [24] The hackers also offered for sale more than 500,000 Zoom usernames and passwords on the dark web. [24] In response to the multitude of security and privacy issues found, Zoom launched a comprehensive security plan that included consultations with Luta Security, Trail of Bits, former Facebook CSO Alex Stamos, former Google Global Chief Privacy Officer Lea Kissner, BishopFox, NCC Group, and Johns Hopkins University cryptographer Matthew D. Green. [139] In March 2020, an article about the motherboard stated that the company`s iOS app sent analytics data from the device to Facebook at launch, regardless of whether a Facebook account was used with the service and without sharing it with the user. [117] Zoom responded that it was informed of the problem and fixed the app to remove the SDK after learning that it was collecting unnecessary data from the device. The company explained that the SDK only collects information about the user`s device specifications (such as model names and operating system versions) in order to optimize its service, and that it does not collect any personal information. [26] [118] [119] In the same month, Zoom was sued by a user in the United States. Federal Court for unlawful and secret disclosure of personal data to third parties, including Facebook.
[120] Zoom responded that it “has never sold user data in the past and has no intention of selling user data in the future.” [121] In September 2020, following protests and legal concerns by the Jewish coalition group, Zoom #EndJewHatred prevented San Francisco State University from using its videoconferencing software to receive former Palestinian activist and kidnapper Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). To justify its decision, Zoom cited the U.S. government`s designation of the PFLP as a terrorist organization and its efforts to comply with U.S. export control, sanctions, and counterterrorism laws. Facebook and YouTube also joined Zoom, denying conference organizers their platforms. Professor Rabab Ibrahim Abdulhadi, one of the conference organizers, criticized Google`s Zoom, YouTube and Facebook for censoring Palestinian votes. [95] [96] [97] [98] An April 2020 Citizen Lab report warned that much of Zoom`s research and development in China “could expose Zoom to pressure from Chinese authorities.” [95] The account of Lee Cheuk Yan (leader of the Hong Kong Labour Party) was also closed in early May 2020, and that of human rights activist Zhou Fengsuo was closed in June after he organized an event on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. [166] [167] In June 2020, Zoom admitted to closing two accounts in the United States. User and a user from Hong Kong who was associated with meetings about the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989,[168] accounts were later reopened, with the company stating that in the future it “will have a new process for dealing with similar situations.” [169] Zoom also announced new technology that could prevent subscribers in certain countries from participating in calls considered illegal in those areas. [168] Zoom employees will not access the content of meetings, webinars or messages (including, without limitation, audio, video, files and messages) unless otherwise directed by the account holder or for legal, security or security reasons, as explained below. Zoom uses personal information to perform the following activities: In July 2013, Zoom partnered with B2B collaboration software providers such as Redbooth (then Teambox)[20] and also created a program called Works with Zoom, in partnership with Logitech, Vaddio[21] and InFocus.
[22] [23] [24] In September 2013, the Company raised $6.5 million in a Series B round from Horizon Ventures and existing investors. At the time, it had 3 million daily meeting participants. [18] As of April 2020, the number of daily meeting participants has grown to over 200 million. [25] Zoom uses advanced tools to automatically scan content such as virtual backgrounds, profile pictures, and files uploaded or shared via chat to detect and prevent violations of our terms or policies, as well as illegal or other harmful activities, and its employees may investigate such content if necessary for legal and security reasons.