Zoom clarifies statements on why free users won't get end-to-end encrypted video calls

A few days ago, we heard from Zoom's security consultant Alex Stamos that the company plans to offer end-to-end encryption to its paying users. The company's CEO Eric Yuan confirmed this plan a few days later, but the way he worded the confirmation made it seem like it was to allow law enforcement to intercept video calls. A Twitter user then chastised him for using language that suggests he's "kowtowing to the police."

In the company's latest financial results announcement, Yuan said, "Free users, for sure, we don't want to give that [end-to-end encryption]. Because we also want to work it together with FBI and local law enforcement, in case some people use Zoom for bad purpose."

Stamos tried to clear up Yuan's statement, saying that the company faces a "difficult balancing act" when it comes to increasing privacy while "reducing the human impact of the abuse of its product." He is referring to bad actors who use the service to spread pornographic images and hate speech. These people usually use free accounts with a lower level of encryption, thus allowing Zoom and law enforcement to come after them. 

And if these bad actors are given more robust encryption with their free accounts, then it'll be more difficult to crack down on them and have them face the consequences of their actions. Free accounts use an email address, which wouldn't provide enough information to verify the users' identities.

Stamos wanted to assure the public that Zoom doesn't proactively monitor content in meetings and "will not in the future." And that they do not and will not record meetings silently.

A spokesperson for the company also confirmed with Engadget what kind of encryption covers free accounts: "Zoom's AES 256 GCM encryption is turned on for all Zoom users—free and paid. Zoom does not proactively monitor meeting content, and we do not share information with law enforcement except in circumstances like child sex abuse. We do not have backdoors where participants can enter meetings without being visible to others. None of this will change."

The spokesperson also said Zoom works with child safety advocates, civil liberties organizations, encryption experts, and law enforcement to incorporate their feedback into the company's plans.