Zoom Launches End-To-End Encryption for Free and Paid Users Worldwide

If you’re a Zoom user, you’ve probably been looking forward to extra security when it comes to video chatting via the platform. Well, that’s possible nowadays since the company has officially launched end-to-end encryption for all its users. Yes, you read that right, both free and premium users will get this feature. 

You are all aware that online security continues to be a constant issue across the world. Ransomware attacks, phishing scams and security breaches have become common across all online businesses. Unfortunately, most of the tools used to alleviate these security vulnerabilities have made it worse.

However, Zoom is solving at least one security susceptibility you won’t need to worry about. The company has formally made the E2EE (end-to-end encryption) the standard for all its users.

 The beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic was the perfect timing for Zoom. Its usage was growing exponentially, and it appeared it couldn’t stop any time soon. Unluckily, with remote meetings and digital events becoming part and parcel of everyday life, its increased use intensified Zoom’s lax security. What this meant is that there were several hacks as people held meetings via the platform in the early days of the pandemic.

However, in the subsequent months, Zoom has made a firm commitment to security. End-to-end encryption is the first invention in a 4-phase plan aimed at facelifting this video calling platform's security. As you can see, Zoom has moved from security woes to successful stories within a few months. Currently, there’re no warranted reasons for avoiding the platform.

 Despite previously alleging its meetings utilized the end-to-end encryption - and quickly receding from those allegations – Zoom has revealed that end-to-end encryption is currently available for both free and paid users across the world, for meetings with up to 200 participants.

The feature will be available to users on the Zoom Rooms, Zoom Android application and the Zoom desktop client version 5.4.0 for Windows and Mac. However, iPhone users may have to wait a little longer as the Zoom iOS application waits for approval from the Apple App Store. Zoom utilizes the256-bit AES_GCM encryption, whereby only the meeting participants get the encryption keys.

In a statement, Zoom said that account admins can easily turn on the end-to-end encryption functionality from their web dashboard at the account, user and group level. It’s also possible to lock it at the account or group level. The meeting host has the ability to enable and disable this feature based on the functionality level and security level they need.

As part of its piloting, end-to-end encryption participants need to join from Zoom Rooms, mobile application or the Zoom desktop client application. The company is also looking forward to getting feedback from the users regarding the feature’s performance over the next few weeks. As Jason Lee, Zoom’s chief information security officer, denotes, the company is more than proud to offer E2EE to Zoom users across the world.

 As said earlier, Zoom is offering end-to-end encryption features for meetings that have up to 200 participants. Therefore, you’re covered if you’re using either the basic or pro plan. However, when it comes to enterprise users, the situation is quite tricky as the number of participants in a single meeting can rise to 500 or more.

Regarding the free plan, Zoom users will need to verify their phone numbers via an SMS and include a credit card or another billing option to receive the E2EE. It’s also worth noting that not all features will work with Zoom’s E2EE. For instance, you’ll not have the ability to gain access to various features, such as meeting reactions, cloud recording, live transcription and polls.

Besides, the host must first join the meeting to make it possible for the other participants to join the meeting. As Zoom indicates, upon enabling E2EE, it will not be possible for the participants to use a telephone, SIP/H.323 devices, Skype clients or Lync or even use the settings to join the Zoom meetings. The main reason for this is that Zoom doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption for these modes. 

 Well, the incorporated encryption functionalities will make Zoom secure for its members. One of the most notable differences is that by enabling E2EE, you’ll see a small green shield with a padlock in it. Generally, this is how you know that the meeting is totally secure, from end to end.

When used properly, end-to-end encryption makes it tricky for even the world’s best-equipped intelligence agencies to snoop on communication using it. It’s such a powerful functionality for guaranteeing privacy for the group of people that worries about intelligence agencies. For example, Zoom is currently ideal for civil rights activists, whistleblowers, and journalists who are holding a video meeting and want to protect their content.