Zoom addresses data privacy issues

With the continuing challenges of the pandemic, companies have allowed, encouraged or forced employees to work from home. Safety has become the mantra of many companies. But not all homes are equipped with the tools to enable productivity and efficiency of remote work.

 

Employees who work from home need a range of tools and technology. It starts with one’s internet connection which can get crowded with all other devices from family members connected. Often, I would tell my kids to shut down Netflix so I can have more bandwidth. Still, I would need to upgrade my Sky Broadband internet connection as soon my kids would also be studying from home. 

 

At least my MacBook Pro is still up to the challenge and is proof that technology works. I have deleted many files and documents, and even Rafa’s Minecraft app to allow more space. Still, I would need a new external drive.

 

Remote work has made Zoom part of the new normal around work collaboration tools. But even Zoom faced some recent challenges. Have you heard of “zoombombing?”

According to www.howtogeek.com, “Zoombombing” is when an uninvited person joins a Zoom meeting. Aren’t they like trolls? Zoombombers often share pornographic photos, throw in racial slurs and find ways to disrupt technology.

 

Photo from https://screenrant.com/zoom-bombing-report

Zoom zoomed in to address the issue. Even, Eric Yuan, Zoom’s chief executive, apologized. He said the recent problems are been addressed. Data privacy issues have been raised against Zoom. 

In a Zoom blog published last 8 April 2020, Yuan said, “We are committed to ensuring that the safety, privacy, and security of our platform is worthy of the trust of all of our users — both new and existing.”

 

If data is secured and protected, then, technology works.

Growth of TikTok and Data Privacy

My daughter, Angel, is a fan of TikTok. She has been accessing TikTok through my old Samsung phone. And often shows me the short videos that she has created.

While it has experienced growth as teens and kids having more free time on their hands through summer vacation, internet and data privacy advocates are quick to call the attention of tech giants when data protection is placed at risk.

Even the US Department of Defense has to encourage its employees to avoid installing the app on their smartphones. CNN Business reports that "US lawmakers on both sides of the aisle warn that the app could pose a national security risk, and are calling on regulators and intelligence agencies to investigate TikTok's ties to China. 

In response, Sean Kim, Head of Product, TikTok US, in it's corporate website, says, "TikTok is committed to building an experience that protects the safety and privacy of our community."

Roland Cloutier, TikTok's Chief Information Security Officer, says, "Building technology security defenses is a constant effort to anticipate, plan, and react. What has been clear since I started this job almost three months ago is that the team at TikTok is fully committed to protecting the privacy of our users and providing transparency on our overall security efforts."

Technology works only when the user's data privacy is upheld and protected.