Zoom’s end-to-end encryption (E2EE) has been introduced, allowing both free and paid users to secure their meetings, so that only participants can access their content, not Zoom or anyone else. Zoom says E2EE is supported on all of its Mac, PC, iOS and Android apps, as well as Zoom Rooms, but only its web clients or third-party clients that use the Zoom SDK.
E2EE has launched in a technical preview, which means that Zoom wants a response to the feature for 30 days. However, the company says E2EE will still be available after this period. Instructions on how to enable it can be found in the Zoom Help Center.
Zoom had previously offered encryption for its call calls, but instead of final encryption between participants, data was encrypted between each meeting participant and Zoom’s servers. Once E2EE is enabled, you can check if you’re using a more secure type of encryption using the green screen on the top left of the Zoom Meeting window. Shield will show padlock instead of checkmark if meeting is encrypted end-to-end.
Although E2EE meetings are more secure, they do not work with some of the zoom features. This includes its cloud recording, live transcription, voting, meeting responses, and pre-host features. Participants will also not be able to connect using “telephone, SIP / H.323 devices, no-prefix configurations or Link / Skype clients”, as Zoom says this cannot be end-to-end encrypted.
Zoom’s E2EE meetings support a maximum of 200 participants. It won’t affect users on Zoom’s default or Pro plans, which have a maximum of 100 participants, but it can be a problem for business or enterprise subscribers who allow up to 300 or 500 participants.
End-to-end encryption is available for both free and paid users, but Zoom says that non-accounts paid accounts will need to verify their phone number using SMS and will also need a valid billing option associated with their account. Zoom initially said that end-to-end encryption would not prevent free users from using the service for illegal activity, but the company quickly backtracked and announced that it would be available to everyone later that month.
This initial launch is just the first of four phases Zoom is planning for offering its end-to-end encryption. The next phase, which is scheduled to include better identity management and support for single sign-for, is currently planned for launch next year.
