It also issued a set of guidelines for individuals who “still would like to use Zoom for a private purpose”.
New Delhi| The government today informed that the Zoom meeting app is “not safe” for video conferencing. It also issued a set of guidelines for individuals who “still would like to use Zoom for a private purpose”. The zoom meeting has become a widely used service across the world after the lockdown was imposed to curb coronavirus spread.
“Zoom is not a safe platform even for usage of individuals a detailed advisory has already been issued by CERT-India,” the Home Ministry’s advisory informed.
The government said, “The guideline swill prevent unauthorised entry in the conference room and even malicious activity by authorised participants on terminals of the other participants. It would also avoid DOS attack by restricting users through passwords and access grant.”
It further added, “Most of the settings can be done by login into users zoom account at website, or installed application at PC/Laptop/Phone and also during conduct of conference. However certain settings are possible through certain mode/channel only.”
A senior official in the home ministry said, “The Zoom app has issues relating to privacy and as well as security.”
According to the official, the Zoom app, like TikTok, have servers mostly located in China. He said centre maintains that this app has significant weaknesses and indulges in dubious practices.
“Our technical analysis shows how this very popular video conferencing app encrypts meeting data,” another official added.
An officer in cyber unit said, “Leading business houses and governments and others who need confidentiality should not be using this software.”
Cert-In website, India’s nodal cybersecurity agency, had earlier wanted the people that the video conferencing app is vulnerable to breaches.
Google has banned the app from all its employees’ computers over security problems. Singapore had banned it for teachers after hackers posted obscene images on their screens. The app has also been banned from use in countries like Germany, Singapore, and Taiwan.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
