Zoom pushes ahead on security, reaching pact with New York and buying secure messaging start-up Keybase

Zoom has faced backlash for security issues including failing to disclose that its service was not fully end-to-end encrypted

The company says it plans to develop tools to give more controls to meeting hosts and allow users to securely join meetings

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Eric Yuan, CEO of Zoom Video Communications takes part in a bell ringing ceremony at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York on April 18, 2019. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:11pm, 8 May 2020Updated: 4:11pm, 8 May 2020

Zoom Video Communications pushed forward on Thursday in its effort to revamp its security, striking a deal with the New York attorney general’s office to protect users’ privacy and purchasing secure messaging start-up Keybase.

The company, which has faced backlash for failing to disclose that its service was not fully end-to-end encrypted said it planned to develop tools that will give more controls to meeting hosts and allow users to securely join a meeting and submit them to external review.

Zoom has been one of the big beneficiaries of coronavirus lockdowns, with millions of workers and students using its video platform as they work and study from home.

The company said it had bought Keybase, a secure messaging and file-sharing service, for an undisclosed price as it seeks engineering expertise to deliver more robust encryption for its conferencing platform.

Separately, New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, announced an agreement with Zoom over a range of issues, including enhanced privacy for educational accounts and updates to Zoom’s policy on abusive conduct.

Shares of Zoom were up 5 per cent at US$157, after rising earlier as much as 8 per cent.