Zoom Acquires Encryption Startup Keybase to Boost Security
Zoom purchases Keybase to bring end-to-end encryption expertise in-house and address recent security concerns. The acquisition aims to build a more private platform for its rapidly growing user base.
Zoom acquires Keybase, a startup known for its strong encryption products, to improve the security of its video conferencing platform. The companies do not disclose the financial terms of the deal, but the move brings nearly two dozen security engineers into Zoom's workforce to help address recent platform vulnerabilities.
CEO Eric Yuan states that this acquisition allows Zoom to develop a truly private communication platform that scales to hundreds of millions of users. As part of this integration, Zoom plans to roll out an end-to-end encrypted meeting mode for all paid accounts, enabling users to establish cryptographic trust relationships during meetings.
Keybase co-founder Max Krohn takes the lead of Zoom's security engineering team and reports directly to Yuan. While Keybase operates as a subsidiary of Zoom, the future of its existing standalone products remains uncertain as the two companies work to figure out the next steps.