Google Puts Zoom in Its Crosshairs
As security issues plague Zoom, Google’s rapid response threatens to topple Zoom’s position as the king of videoconferencing apps
Zoom’s popularity exploded as people around the world were forced to shelter in place and sought solutions to virtually engage with co-workers, classrooms, families, and friends. By offering a free plan that anyone can sign up for and a group-friendly, high-definition interface that has proven resilient despite its sudden growth in usage, daily active users on Zoom leaped from 10 million to over 300 million in just five months. But Google is now hot on its heels.
Zoom’s popularity has come at a significant cost as security researchers discovered serious flaws in the Zoom platform, privacy advocates questioned the company’s data-sharing practices, and miscreants continue conducting Zoombombing attacks with crude and malicious intentions. The company is scrambling to correct problems by focusing its development team on strengthening the software, improving its configuration options, and announcing a new cybersecurity advisory board led by a well-respected security executive. Though security experts generally applaud Zoom’s response, many organizations have since banned employee use of Zoom for work.
