Zoom will reportedly strengthen privacy and security protections by extending end-to-end encryption features to more of its services. Currently, the cloud phone system service, Zoom Phone, is said to be the first to receive this security feature.
Based on information from Engadget (22/7), Zoom Phone service users will be able to activate the end-to-end encryption feature when making personal one-on-one video calls. The report says that currently the feature that is already present on the Zoom Phone can only be activated for calls between users on the same company’s Zoom account.
Users wishing to make video calls must be on the Zoom Phone desktop or mobile app and have automatic call recording turned off. Account owners or admins must enable the end-to-end encryption feature via the web portal before their users can enable it on calls.
When enabled, this end-to-end encryption feature will work to ensure secure calls with a cryptographic key that only the calling device and recipient can access. Users can also verify the status of this encryption feature by sharing the security code with others.
Meanwhile, this end-to-end encryption feature will also be present in the group workspace, a small discussion room that is disconnected from the main group meeting. So, in addition to the main group meeting, the group workspace will be able to have its own encryption key.
Similar to cloud telephony system services, in this group workspace, the new end-to-end encryption security feature can be used when the account owner or admin has activated it via the web portal. This means that this feature cannot be used if the admin does not turn it on through the Zoom application website portal.
Zoom began rolling out end-to-end encryption security features in October 2020, months after the app developed amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially, the company planned to limit its end-to-end encryption features to paid accounts. However, finally the security feature is brought to everyone for free after getting reactions from most of the global users.
