Inputs by Amey Haldankar
Delhi, Aug 4: Zoom, a video conferencing app trusted by millions, has agreed to pay $85 million to settle a class action lawsuit (A class action lawsuit is a special type of lawsuit that can be filed in American courts. When many people are affected by the actions of a company, they all get together and file a single lawsuit on behalf. Since the lawsuit represents a group or class of people, it is termed a class action lawsuit).
Multiple class action lawsuits were filed against Zoom in 2020. These included:
- Zoom was violating users’ privacy by sharing their data with third parties (a Zoom meeting is a transaction between two parties – zoom and the person making the call. Anyone else is a third party – someone not involved in a transaction). Security researchers found that Zoom servers were sending user data to Facebook servers as soon as a user logs into a Zoom call, including Advertiser ID, type of device used, and other details. Other researchers also found evidence of this data being shared with Google and LinkedIn.
- Zoom has inadequate security, resulting in Zoombombing.
What is Zoombombing?
Zoombombing occurs when an unknown or an uninvited person joins a meeting and interrupts it by sharing disturbing images/ videos. Imagine you’re joining your normal day to day classes on zoom and suddenly someone unknown joins and disturbs the class along with sharing some disturbing images.
When will the settlement be made?
U.S. district judge Lucy Koh must approve the settlement before refunds can be claimed.
How will the 85 million be distributed to people?
Paid Zoom users will get 15% of their subscription refunded (with a limit of 25$ per account). Free users can claim 15 USD.
