U.S. Senate advises against using Zoom for video conferencing

Add the U.S. Senate to a growing list of a companies and institutions backing away from Zoom. 

The legislative body warned senators and staff against using the video conferencing software over privacy concerns, according to a Financial Times report Thursday. It wasn’t a complete ban, but an advisement to use other, more secure programs for teleconferencing during the coronavirus pandemic. 

In a Zoom statement, the company reiterated its emphasis on privacy and noted new security updates added just this week. 

“Zoom takes user security extremely seriously,” the statement begins. “Zoom is in communication with governments around the world and is focused on providing the information they need to make informed decisions about their policies.”

On Wednesday the company updated its security features, including a new toolbar so hosts have more control over meetings. It’s also now hiding meeting IDs. Last month, Zoom shut down questionable data-sharing with platforms like Facebook. It also implemented a 90-day plan to review its security protocols. 

Although the Senate hasn’t fully banned Zoom, others have, including Google, SpaceX, and New York City schools.