‘Zoombombing’ settlement

Zoom Video Communications, the San Jose videoconferencing company whose internet app became a mainstay of American life during the coronavirus pandemic, has agreed to pay $85 million and improve its security practices to settle a lawsuit claiming it violated the privacy of its users.

Filed in March 2020, the suit claimed Zoom shared personal data with thirdparty internet services and allowed hackers to interrupt online meetings through “Zoombombing,” a phenomenon in which internet trolls exploit a screensharing feature on the videoconferencing app to show offensive messages or images.

Under the settlement, which still requires the approval of a federal judge, Zoom subscribers would be eligible to receive a 15% refund on their primary subscriptions or $25 — whichever is greater. Other users could receive a refund of up to $15.

The company also agreed to notify users when others use thirdparty apps during meetings and to provide training on privacy and data handling to its employees. In agreeing to settle the case, the company denied any wrongdoing.

“The privacy and security of our users are top priorities for Zoom, and we take seriously the trust our users place in us,” the company said in a statement. “We are proud of the advancements we have made to our platform, and look forward to continuing to innovate with privacy and security at the forefront.”

The suit also claimed that Zoom shared users’ personal data with thirdparty services such as Facebook, Google and LinkedIn and that it falsely told users that its service provided endtoend encryption, a security measure that aims to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping on online communications.