- Zoom will be enabling end-to-end encryption next week.
- The technical preview is available to paid and free users.
- A number of other functions can also be found in the products of the video conferencing service.
Zoom was an essential work-from-home tool for many users in 2020. Even so, the company isn’t known for its stance on safety. With end-to-end encryption (E2EE), this can now change.
The sessions with up to 200 participants, announced for the first time in June, will receive E2EE from next week and will be available to paying and non-paying customers. The only caveat is that it is not a switch that stays on. Users must log in before each meeting in order to use it.
Continue reading: Zoom vs Microsoft Teams: Which One is Best for You?
It seems like a nuisance, but apparently this is by design. Some meeting features are not available with E2EE. This includes the ability to join before the host, live transcription and cloud recording. Users also have to forego social features like breakout rooms, polls, and meeting reactions.
Users are notified by a green shield icon in the top left when they have attended an encrypted meeting. And if you’re still not convinced, you can also compare the security code on your screen with that of the host.
More upcoming zoom functions
OnZoom
In addition to security fans, Zoom is also entering the digital event business. The company is diversifying its offering with an online event platform called OnZoom.
The marketplace will be available to paid subscribers so that they can “create, host and monetize events such as fitness courses, concerts, stand-up or improvisation shows and music lessons” via Zoom Meetings.
Optimizations for meetings, telephones and webinars
Users of Zoom’s three main products can also look forward to upcoming improvements.
In meetings, attendees can use haunting scenes to place attendees in a custom background. Zoom believes this will be great for teachers to get students into virtual classrooms. The company mentions that a court scene will also be available, but that sounds too weird to be taken seriously.
Video waiting rooms should reduce the number of random users joining meeting sessions as the host can now see a lobby with users waiting. To keep users entertained, new meeting reactions with additional sounds are added.
Video webinars are also being improved. The service will also be expanded to include improvements in speaker identification, breakout rooms and debriefing rooms for chats after the meeting. In addition, lobbies can now also be customized for branded events. Audience reactions are also added to webinars.
Finally, Zoom Phone will have a number of new features in the coming months. Spam detection and smart blocking will be available in November. Zoom’s team SMS function is scheduled to continue in early 2021. Starting “next week”, the service will also offer phone numbers for users in South Africa, extending the range of more than 40 areas.
If you’re still busy using Zoom, check out our video chat app recap for Android below.
Next: The best video chat apps for Android