'Not a safe platform': India bans Zoom for government use

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New Delhi, India — India has banned the use of video-conferencing app Zoom for government remote meetings, the government said Thursday, in the latest warning about the platform's security.

The app has become the global go-to service for everything from education to exercise classes as millions stay home because of lockdowns to combat COVID-19's spread.

"This advisory states that the platform is not for use by government officers/officials for official purposes," the Home Affairs Ministry said in a statement Thursday, referring to the guidelines it had issued Sunday.

"Zoom is not a safe platform," the statement said.

The ministry also advised private users on how to avoid issues such as "Zoombombing" -- when uninvited guests join the video call, often to harass users.

India's cyber-security agency warned earlier this year of the app's security vulnerabilities.

Last week Taiwan advised government agencies against using videoconferencing apps with security concerns, such as Zoom.

And Singapore on Tuesday allowed teachers to resume using Zoom after suspending it last week, when gatecrashers interrupted a class and made lewd comments.

Similar "Zoombombing" incidents have been reported in Indian classrooms, according to local media, while the New York school system has banned Zoom-based security concerns.

Prosecutors from several U.S. states -- including Connecticut, New York, and Florida -- are meanwhile investigating the Silicon Valley-based company's privacy and security practices.

The FBI has warned of Zoom sessions being hijacked.

Zoom has sought to make improvements to its application as security concerns mount.

According to creator Eric Yuan, the number of people taking part in Zoom meetings daily eclipsed 200 million in March, up from just 10 million at the end of last year.

The Indian government order came days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted a picture of himself chairing a Zoom video conference with senior ministry and military officials.