Zoom: India warns video chat app is 'not safe' and tells government employees not to use it

Company has promised to focus on safety and privacy

(Getty Images)

Zoom is "not safe", Indian officials have said.

The government warned employees not to use the chat app, warning that it was an insecure platform.

It is just the latest of a run of countries and companies who have expressed concern about the security of the app, which has surged in popularity as people under lockdown work and study from home.

With the new popularity has come an increased focus on its privacy and security failings. Issues have included "Zoombombing, where strangers will drop into video conferences and often show offensive or otherwise troubling messages.

The company has apologised for the privacy flaws, and committed to fix them. It has promised not to launch new features in the coming months and instead direct its resources to fixing any security issues.

Countries including Taiwan and Germany have already discouraged the use of the app. Companies including Google and SpaceX have also done the same, telling employees to stop using it and banning it from laptops.

"Zoom is a not a safe platform," the Cyber Coordination Centre (CyCord) of India's ministry of home affairs said in a 16-page advisory. The document said that employees could use the app for personal communications if they wish, but not for official business.

Since the run of privacy issues, Zoom has introduced a range of changes, including easier to use security options.