Zoom unveils upgraded security features for video conferencing app

Video conferencing service Zoom rolled out an update Wednesday to enhance the security of its teleconferencing app and make it easier to block intruders.

The Zoom 5.0 version of the app will release within the week and will include upgraded encryption features, the company said.

Zoom has exploded in popularity as the coronavirus pandemic confines people to their homes. The platform reported 200 million daily users in March, a big leap from 10 million in December. 

But it has faced a backlash over a multitude of security and privacy issues, including vulnerabilities that have led to uninvited guests being able to access and disrupt meetings through “Zoom-bombings.”

The updates announced Wednesday largely focus on addressing that vulnerability.

The interface will now include a security icon for users to quickly lock meetings, remove participants and restrict screen sharing during meetings.

Zoom is also enabling password meetings by default.

The encryption upgrades don’t amount to the end-to-end encryption that Zoom previously said it implemented, but the new features are aimed at making meeting data more secure.