Fears are growing that the video conferencing app Zoom is a "hacker's paradise" with the recent start-up company facing serious questions about privacy and security.
One of the biggest concerns is the threat that has been dubbed "Zoom-bombing" - where trolls and hackers can "bomb" uninvited into video conferences, causing disruption in any number of ways.
Zoom-bombing incidents have seen video conferences for groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous - forced to hold virtual meetings because of lockdown rules - and even high-level Government meetings disrupted by univited guests - CorkBeo reports.
A recent UK Government cabinet meeting was targetted by hackers after the organisers mistakenly left the Zoom address on a screen-shot posted to social media. Downing Street IT specialists had to scramble to re-organise the virtual conference to prevent trolls joining in the cabinet meeting.
In the US, multiple law enforcement agencies have teamed-up to scrutinize Zoom’s privacy and security practices.
“We are alarmed by the Zoom-bombing incidents and are seeking more information from the company about its privacy and security measures in coordination with other state attorneys general,” said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.
As concerns grow, a Zoom spokesperson said; "We appreciate the outreach we have received on these issues from various elected officials and look forward to engaging with them.”
Authorities in Florida are investigating the company's cyber-security measures after a serious incident in the US state.
On March 31, a University of Florida student meeting on Zoom was bombarded with racist messages, swastikas, pornography and death threats.
Zoom users are being advised to be aware of the threat - and take security measures to ensure that they do not share sensitive information online.
