The U.S. provider Zoom is a high-Flyer during the Corona-crisis. Since the beginning of the year has doubled the share price from just under 70 to $ 150 more than. However, the company with nearly 2000 employees from San José (California) in several points in the review.
privacy policy: The iPhone App of Zoom has passed on data without the Knowledge of the user on Facebook. The company has apologized and guidelines have been adjusted – but only at the 28. March. It does not say explicitly: “We will not sell your personal data.” And: “We do not use the on the basis of their use of our services, including your Meetings, collected data for advertising purposes.” Nevertheless, the New York Prosecutor’s office and wants to Zoom the information to user data and privacy. the security issues: privacy advocates have already complained last year that Zoom security protocols of the Internet bypasses a browser to access the Webcams access. Because the video service, you can also use without any additional program directly in the Browser. The gap could be used by hackers to spy on people. And also, if you do not use Zoom at all. the Chopped video conferences: In the United States, there were cases of virtual Attacks. So hackers were able to participate with a try from the left just like in video conferencing – and there are displayed for example in a lesson of Nazi symbols or porn. It is therefore important that you put in the settings of the video chat to “private”. You can trust Zoom yet?
Popular the Software is, above all, because it is easy and free of charge. So, you can invite up to 100 participants for a maximum of 40-minute circuit without cost. Discussions are second even is free without any restrictions. “In addition, it works on all platforms, including PCs, Macs, and even Smartphones,” says Digital expert Jean-Claude Frick of Comparis.ch. Zoom course, even when the current rush is relatively stable.
The vulnerabilities, and allegations are resolved for the most part, you can’t trust the US provider at all? “Virtually all foreign video conference solutions are sometimes questionable in terms of privacy,” says the expert. Nevertheless, he advises to go to a pragmatic approach. If possible, you should use a different solution. “Is the contact, but in the present Situation, only with a Zoom feasible, then it is acceptable,” says Frick.
it is Important that one is aware that Free services will always be funded somehow. For example, with advertising, but partially also with the analysis of user data.
There is also a Free Alternative from Switzerland
The Comparis expert also knows some Alternatives. For the private contact in your Smartphones built-in video chat function, so FaceTime on the iPhone or Google Hangouts for Android rich, for example. Both also provide group video chats. Also WhatsApp has a built-in cross-platform video chat with up to four people.
well Known business solutions Google with Meet and Microsoft with Skype and Teams. An encrypted, free Swiss solution for Online Meetings, there is Switch, a Foundation of the Swiss universities.
At the Swiss Federal data protection and information you can say officer way, for the specific case, still nothing. “Not all of the Apps for the digital collaboration such as video conferencing, or Home-Teaching to protect the privacy of enough,” writes Hugo Wyler, head of communications at the request of a VIEW.
Therefore, displayed a restrained use and you should examine Alternatives. The Swiss Federal data protection and information Commissioner was working but at the time intensively with the question and will post the results of the Evaluation. The data protection Commissioner of the Canton of Zurich, by the way, turns a list of applications for the digital cooperation. Here Zoom is also mentioned: “Zoom can be used during the Corona-crisis used. A prerequisite is that the Global Data Processing Addendum signed and Zoom return.”
Coronavirus
The Coronavirus currently holds the world in suspense. Many countries are taking measures such as Closing schools or limiting public events, to prevent the spread. In Switzerland, too, the grass, the Virus magnetized. All of the current information and Figures around the topic there is in the Coronavirus-Ticker.
