Zoom released version 5.0.0 of their client on April 27, and you should have received a notice to update to the new client by now. The new version has several enhancements and a few bug fixes; please update to the most current version by May 30. Zoom has posted a good summary of the details included in this update so I will not cover everything here but I do want to provide some guidance on a few of the features. This guidance applies to everyone in the UCLA Campus Zoom instance.
Features Approved for Use at UCLA
IMPROVED ENCRYPTION
One of the most prominent features in the new version is the use of AES 256-bit encryption keys which is an improvement over the prior AES 128-bit keys. Zoom 5.0 also adds support for AES 256-bit GCM encryption to increase protection for meeting data against tampering. Zoom has set a target of May 30 to enforce 256-bit GCM encryption in all meetings which means all users will need to update to Zoom 5.0 after May 30th to participate in meetings.
DATA CENTER ROUTING
By default the UCLA Campus instance is set to allow meetings to be routed to any available Zoom data center region except China (Hong Kong, China is allowed). Meetings that involve hosts or participants located in China may experience performance issues because such users will have to connect to a data center outside of China.
Zoom has implemented a new data center routing feature to permit hosts to control what regions their meeting data is routed through. This feature is set when you schedule a meeting and is available in both the desktop and web client.
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Desktop client under Advanced Options |
Web client under Meeting Options |
Unless it is necessary to facilitate the meeting, we recommend that you leave China un-checked.
SHOW THE CONNECTED DATA CENTER
In the desktop client, both hosts and participants can see which data center they are connected to by clicking on the badge icon (formerly the padlock) at the top left of the window. Hovering over the badge will indicate that your meeting is encrypted but that is nothing new. Clicking on this badge pulls up the Statistics page in the meeting settings. This view shows you the data center that your meeting is being routed through as well as both the encryption being used and the client version that you are using.
Features Not Approved for Use at UCLA
REPORT A USER - DISABLED
A new feature added to the Security icon can be used by a host to notify Zoom of a user’s inappropriate behavior.
However this feature should not be used, and it will be disabled in the Campus instance to avoid any accidental use. Instead, if you witness or experience an incident of bias, know that resources exist to support you. If such an incident occurs while you are the host of a meeting, end the meeting immediately to prevent further escalation. Report an incident of bias.
The Zoom Report a user feature is being prohibited because it circumvents campus policies and processes, authorizes Zoom to access all data associated with the alleged violation including the meeting in which the alleged violation occurred, and may create privacy issues.
DISABLE PARTICIPANTS’ ABILITY TO RENAME THEMSELVES - DO NOT NOT USE
A new feature of Zoom made available earlier in April permits meeting hosts to disable a participant’s ability to change their name during a meeting.
Instructors should not uncheck this option while teaching. Neither should hosts of any Zoom meeting being recorded. Student ability to use a pseudonym, along with turning off their camera and using chat instead of voice, is essential to permit opting out of being recorded.
We will continue to publish Zoom guidance as new features are released or we make changes to the Campus instance. Meanwhile, if you have questions or concerns about Zoom please email help@it.ucla.edu so we can better track the nature of your questions. Just specify that your issue is related to Zoom.
How to Update Zoom
1. Open the Zoom Application
2. Click on your profile in the upper right-hand corner of the Zoom application
3. Select Check for Updates from the drop down
4, If a new version is available you will get a notification to update, otherwise you should see the following "You are up to date" message.
