Chat application Zoom announces the rollout of version 5.0. The new version should improve user security and prevent a new way of trolling on the videoconference tool.
At the beginning of April, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan announced a 90-day feature freeze to solely focus on improving the security and the privacy of Zoom-users. Zoom had been plagued by all kinds of privacy and security breaches. Today Zoom announces the rollout of version 5.0 with improved encryption (AES 256-bit GCM, not yet the promised end-to-end) and the option for companies to choose which data centers are used to send video calls. These functions were added after questions were raised about the use of data centers in China. Many people had sincere doubts about their privacy and security.
In addition to two improved network functions, Zoom also added previously announced features to the new version. The button that houses the admin options has now been placed more prominently on the page, which makes the functions easier to use for videocall moderators. Setting a password on a video call is now a function for all users. This should prevent IDs of unsecured calls being uploaded on the internet, barring trolls from entering the chat.
The latter is also prevented by default by enabling a waiting area for new guests in a call. Only an admin can add users so that unwanted guests can be kept out.
Most features will be immediately available for Zoom users, the ability to tag a user (after which they can be removed from a chat) and the new encryption will be rolled out within a week.
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