Zoom will finally start rolling out end-to-end encryption to users
Platform whose state
“We are pleased to announce that starting from the nextWeeks, Zoom's End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) offering will be available as a technical preview, which means that we actively seek user feedback within the first 30 days, ”says the official Zoom blog post. "Zoom users - free and paid - worldwide can host up to 200 attendees to the E2EE conference at Zoom, providing increased privacy and security for your sessions."
Zoom acquired Keybase, a startupspecializing in encryption - in May, saying then that the company aims to develop "the most widely used enterprise offering for end-to-end encryption."
However, initially the CEOEric Yuan said this level of encryption will only be reserved for paid Zoom users. But, faced with a barrage of criticism from users, the company sharply changed its policy, announcing in June that all users will be provided with the highest level of security, regardless of whether they pay to use the platform's services or not.
And today, Zoom confirmed that usersFree / Basics tariffs that want to access E2EE will need to participate in a one-time verification process in which the application will ask them for additional information. For example, confirming a phone number with a text message. In this way, the company is going to reduce the "massive creation of malicious accounts."
“We are confident that by introducing authentication and ourworking with human rights and child safety organizations, as well as the ability of our users to block meetings, report violations and a host of other features, will continue to improve the safety of our users, ”the message says.
Four stages of implementing end-to-end encryption
The rollout of the technical preview is expected next week - this is the first phase of a four-step process for implementing E2E encryption on the platform.
The next phase of the E2EE rollout, which will include “improved identity management and E2EE SSO integration,” is “tentatively” slated for 2021.
Starting next week, customers wishing to test the technical preview must enable E2EE meetings at the account level and subscribe to E2EE for each meeting.
All meeting participants must have E2EE enabled to join an end-to-end encrypted meeting.
How does Zoom provide end-to-end encryption?
Zoom's E2EE proposal uses cryptography withpublic key. Simply put, the keys for each Zoom meeting are generated by the participants' machines, not the Zoom servers. Encrypted data transmitted through Zoom's servers cannot be decrypted by Zoom because Zoom's servers do not have the required decryption key. This key management strategy is similar to that used by most end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms today.
How do I enable E2EE?
Hosts can enable E2EE configuration at theaccount, group and user and can be locked at the account or group level. All attendees must have the setting turned on to join an E2EE meeting. In Phase 1, all meeting attendees must join from the Zoom desktop client, mobile app, or Zoom Rooms.
When is the best time to use E2EE?
E2EE is best for when you needincreased privacy and data protection for meetings. It provides an additional layer of security to mitigate risks and protect confidential meeting content. While E2EE provides additional security, some Zoom functions are limited in this first version of E2EE. Individual Zoom users should determine if they need these features before including this version of E2EE in their meetings.
How is access to all the features of a regular Zoom meeting changing?
Enabling this version of Zoom E2EE on yourmeetings disables certain features, including joining in front of the host, cloud recording, streaming, live transcription, breakout rooms, polls, 1: 1 private chat, and meeting responses.
How is this different from GCM Zoom's enhanced encryption?
Default Zoom Meetings and WebinarsUses 256-bit AES GCM encryption for audio, video, and application sharing (e.g. screen sharing, interactive whiteboarding) between Zoom applications, clients, and connectors. In a meeting without E2EE enabled, audio and video content transmitted between custom Zoom applications is not decrypted until it reaches the recipient devices. However, encryption keys for each meeting are generated and managed by Zoom's servers. In an E2EE-enabled meeting, no one but every participant - not even Zoom servers - has access to the encryption keys used to encrypt the meeting.
How can I make sure my meeting is using end-to-end encryption?
Participants can search for the green logoshield in the upper left corner of the meeting screen with a padlock in the middle to indicate that their meeting is using E2EE. It looks like our GCM encryption symbol, but the check mark has been replaced with a padlock.
Participants will also see the supervisor's security codemeeting that they can use to test a secure connection. The host can read this code out loud, and all participants can verify that their clients display the same code.
Zoom Announces System To Pay For Online Meetings
New side app platform forvideo calling called OnZoom is launching in beta with live events dedicated to fitness, music and art. Zoom said the company has “added event detection and monetization functionality” to online versions of “traditionally face to face events.”
Tickets can be sold for events with up to 1000 participants.
People conduct online reiki sessions, online yoga sessions,medical consultations via video calls. It inspired people a lot - the idea of scaling such events. Now people think that the market for this kind of event is probably much larger.
Joseph Evans
Why is Zoom?
This innovation will allow Zoom to enter the streaming market by competing against major platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.
Joseph Evans, Head of Technology, EndersAnalysis, explains that the decision was made because activities that people used to do together were forcibly pushed online during the lockdown.
The initial beta is aimed at US users, with the site promoting events for around $ 50.
The company stated that OnZoom was directlyinspired by the sudden boom of companies using its service during the pandemic restrictions earlier this year. Launch partners include WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers, who will use the new system for their virtual seminars.
Zoom said the side platform couldfacilitate the transition to online and other, traditionally face-to-face, events - concerts, comedy performances, various shows, as well as music lessons. Previously, technology was a major obstacle to realizing such ideas, Evans said, but Zoom, among other things, has proven that online classrooms can work great during isolation. And now the company has room for growth.
“Zoom has really grown impressively ... butmost of the use of the platform is not monetized - it's free users for 40-minute calls, ”explains Evans. Simply put, the company is trying to make more money by introducing OnZoom.
Building a marketplace means Zoom can make life easier for service providers by centralizing booking and payment systems - and shorten the sales chain.
"This is a classic technology business model"Evans said in an interview with the BBC. “Create a marketplace and then you save a little on cost. In my opinion, the main question is this - when everything returns to normal in the long term, will there be demand for all such [virtual] events? "
But even if the project might fail, there is a gap in the market between large-scale streaming and private training that is worth exploring, the company notes.
How will everything work?
If you have used apps likeEventbrite and Meetup, OnZoom should be familiar to you. As a participant, you will find a place to discover new workshops, classes and other activities. You will be able to participate directly through Zoom and pay with your credit card or PayPal account. You also have the option to gift OnZoom tickets to your friends and family.
The company told NBC News that it will not cutticket sales during beta testing, which is expected to last at least until the end of 2020. But it's worth noting that only paid Zoom users can host and monetize virtual events at the moment.
Zoom is not the first company to trycapitalize on this concept. In September, Google Area 120 Incubator released Fundo, an app that allows YouTube users and influencers to host paid online events. Early in the pandemic, Airbnb began offering online versions of their seminars and tours. Naturally, visiting them through Zoom.
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