Home
News
You are here

Zoom for iOS stops sharing information with Facebook after a new update

By Iskra Petrova

Published: Mar 30, 2020, 9:26 AM

0comments

Zoom for iOS stops sharing information with Facebook after a new update

Last week, we reported that the popular video-conferencing app Zoom had a concerning privacy issue, when Vice’s Motherboard informed us that the app was sharing data with Facebook, even for people who didn’t have a Facebook account.

Now, Motherboard brings to our attention that Zoom has removed the code from its iOS app that was sending data to Facebook and is now offering the new version of the code with an update. The app used Facebook’s software development kits (SDKs) on its backend and therefore it sent analytics data, mainly related to targeted ads, to Facebook, without notifying the app’s users in its privacy policy.

However, Zoom’s CEO, Eric S. Yuan, apologized in a blog post about the concern raised by the situation. He stated that Zoom users’ privacy is extremely important to the company and that they have decided to remove Facebook’s SDK from the iOS app. Additionally, he said that the information, sent to Facebook, did not include names, notes, attendees or any meeting-related information, but data about devices’ OS and some technical specifications.

He also provided the following list of example information that the SDK was sending to Facebook:

Application Bundle Identifier
Application Instance ID
Application Version
Device Carrier
iOS Advertiser ID
iOS Device CPU Cores
iOS Device Disk Space Available
iOS Device Disk Space Remaining
iOS Device Display Dimensions
iOS Device Model
iOS Language
iOS Timezone
iOS Version
IP Address

The update is now available for download for Zoom for iOS from Apple’s App Store. With the new version, users will be able to log in using their Facebook account only through a browser, and not directly from the app. Previously, the in-app Facebook login was associated with the now removed Facebook SDKs.

Secure your connection now at a bargain price!

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase

Check Out The Offer

View Full Bio

Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.

Read the latest from Iskra Petrova