Should I use Zoom?

Zoom is one of the most popular video conferencing platforms, but is it a safe choice? Here’s what to weigh.

First, Zoom has a history of security and privacy issues. In early 2020, Zoom faced widespread criticism after it was discovered that meetings were not end-to-end encrypted, meaning the company could potentially access meeting content, and researchers found flaws that could expose cameras, microphones, and login credentials. Zoom has since addressed most of these issues — it added optional end-to-end encryption for all users (free and paid) in late 2020 and patched the reported vulnerabilities — so if you use Zoom, enable end-to-end encryption and keep the app updated.

Second, Zoom has been criticized for its handling of user data. The company has been accused of selling user data to third parties, as well as of sharing data with the Chinese government. This is a particular concern for users who may be discussing sensitive or confidential information in their meetings.

Finally, Zoom has faced criticism for its business practices, including its decision to limit the functionality of free accounts and to charge users for features that were previously free. This has led many users to switch to alternative video conferencing platforms that offer better security, privacy, and value.

Overall, Zoom has fixed many of these early problems — it added end-to-end encryption and settled the 2021 privacy lawsuit — so for most people it’s a reasonable choice as long as you keep the app updated and turn on end-to-end encryption. For highly sensitive conversations, it’s still worth considering a privacy-focused alternative.