Zoom and WhatsApp are two of the most popular video conferencing and messaging platforms used by millions of people around the world. However, concerns have been raised over the years about the security and privacy of these platforms. So which one is more secure – Zoom or WhatsApp?
This comprehensive article will compare Zoom and WhatsApp side-by-side across various security aspects like encryption, privacy controls, data collection, vulnerabilities etc. to help you better understand the security offerings of both platforms.
Encryption
Encryption is one of the most important security features for any communication platform. It scrambles messages and data so that only the sender and recipient can view it.
Zoom
Zoom uses encryption in the following ways:
- It provides end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all Zoom meetings. This prevents third parties including Zoom from accessing meeting content.
- Chat messages are encrypted with TLS encryption during transit between the client and Zoom servers.
- Recordings stored on Zoom’s cloud are encrypted at rest.
- Zoom also allows users to enable client-side E2EE encryption for meetings. This provides an added layer of security but limits some meeting functionalities.
WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption for all messages, voice calls and video calls. This means only the sender and recipient can read or listen to them, and nobody in between including WhatsApp.
Some key aspects of WhatsApp encryption:
- Uses the Signal protocol for E2EE, which is one of the most secure encryption protocols available.
- Automatically encrypts all new chats by default.
- Regularly refreshes key exchanges between users for stronger encryption.
- Backups on Google Drive are also encrypted.
Verdict
WhatsApp provides stronger end-to-end encryption overall for chats and calls. Zoom only offers full E2EE for meetings if users enable it manually. For regular usage, WhatsApp encryption is more secure.
Privacy Controls
Privacy controls allow users to configure who can access their information or join their calls/meetings.
Zoom
Zoom has the following privacy controls:
- Password protection for meetings.
- Waiting rooms to screen participants before joining.
- Ability to lock meetings after start.
- Settings to control participant privileges like screen sharing.
- Option to remove participants or put them on hold.
WhatsApp offers these privacy controls:
- End-to-end encryption for all chats.
- Option to control last seen, profile photo and about info visibility.
- Delete messages after sending.
- Block contacts.
- Leave or mute groups.
Verdict
Zoom has more extensive privacy controls for managing meetings. WhatsApp offers basic privacy controls for chats but lacks equivalent meeting options. Overall Zoom has better privacy control configuration.
Data Collection
This compares the type of user data collected and stored by Zoom and WhatsApp.
Zoom
Zoom collects the following data from users:
- Details like name, email, location, device info.
- Meeting metadata like participants, timing, messages.
- Recordings and transcripts if enabled.
- Attention tracking data if enabled by host.
Zoom states that it does not directly access meeting content like video, audio and screen sharing. But metadata exposing when you join/leave, who else was in a meeting etc. can still reveal a lot of information.
WhatsApp collects very limited user data including:
- Phone numbers.
- Profile name and photo if shared.
- Last seen and online presence status.
It does not store any message logs or call logs due to its end-to-end encryption implementation.
Verdict
Zoom collects much more user information than WhatsApp. WhatsApp’s encryption approach limits data collection substantially. For minimizing data exposure, WhatsApp is better.
Vulnerability History
Past security issues and breaches can give insight into potential vulnerabilities.
Zoom
Zoom has had the following vulnerabilities and privacy issues:
- User attention tracking tool left on by default (now removed).
- Exposed Windows credentials through UNC path injection (fixed).
- Shared encryption keys between meetings (fixed).
- Lack of default end-to-end encryption.
- Multiple bugs enabling malicious code execution (fixed).
WhatsApp has had a few vulnerabilities in the past including:
- A bug enabling remote code execution (fixed).
- Cryptographic issues with its early encryption protocol (replaced).
- Temporary backend configuration issue leading to message logging (fixed).
Verdict
Zoom has exhibited more security issues and software bugs than WhatsApp historically. WhatsApp’s focus on secure encryption has likely helped limit major vulnerabilities.
Security Features
This compares additional security features that protect users on Zoom and WhatsApp.
| Security Feature | Zoom | |
|---|---|---|
| Two-factor authentication | Yes | Yes |
| Blocking contacts | No | Yes |
| Reporting abuse | Yes | Yes |
| Read receipts | No | Yes |
| Identity verification | No | Optional |
| Group admin controls | Limited | Extensive |
| Message self-destruct | No | Yes |
Based on these additional security features, WhatsApp seems more oriented towards user privacy and security than Zoom.
Malware Spread Risks
Communication platforms carry inherent risks of malware spread through files, links or recordings.
Zoom
Zoom is vulnerable to the following malware risks:
- Files shared in chat or during screen sharing.
- Recordings posted online containing malware.
- In call web browsing exposing users to web malware.
- Unsafe Zoom add-ons installed by users.
WhatsApp has fewer risks but users can still spread malware by:
- Sending infected files through chat.
- Sharing sketchy links leading to malware sites.
- Encouraging app installs that contain malware.
Verdict
Zoom likely has higher malware risks due to more avenues like recordings, shared screens and web browsers in calls. However, neither platform is immune to malware spread through files, links and attachments.
Meeting Disruptions
Unwanted meeting disruptions, also called “Zoom bombing”, are a unique risk for conferencing platforms.
Zoom
The open nature of Zoom meetings made them easy targets for misuse. Issues like:
- Unwanted guests joining public meetings.
- Screen sharing of inappropriate content.
- Chat floods filled with comments.
However, Zoom has invested heavily in preventing disruptions including default passwords, waiting rooms and ability to lock meetings and remove participants.
WhatsApp has minimal risks of uninvited guests since all chats and calls are private. Group calls are also end-to-end encrypted. The main risks are:
- Unsupported members being added to groups.
- Group flooding with irrelevant chat messages.
Group admins have tools to remove participants and moderate content.
Verdict
The public nature of Zoom meetings made them an easy target historically for misuse by bad actors. WhatsApp’s inherent privateness avoids most of those issues.
User Behavior Risks
Users themselves enable some of the biggest security risks based on their own behavior.
Zoom
User behavior driving Zoom risks include:
- Reusing personal meeting IDs.
- Keeping old meetings open to public access.
- Not using passwords for meetings.
- Saving recordings containing private data in public places.
- Using consumer Zoom for business calls with confidential data.
WhatsApp user risks include:
- Texting confidential data or personal photos.
- Not enabling two-factor authentication.
- Using easily guessed passcodes.
- Saving chat backups to unsecured cloud drives.
- Sending money to strangers.
Verdict
Both platforms enable obvious user behavior driven risks. Zoom risks are higher for businesses while WhatsApp risks are more personal. User education is vital in both cases.
Compliance and Certifications
Industry certifications indicate adherence to best practices and compliance standards.
| Compliance Standard | Zoom | |
|---|---|---|
| HIPAA | Compliant | Not compliant |
| SOC 2 | Audited annually | Not audited |
| GDPR | Certified | Certified |
| ISO 27001 | Certified | Not certified |
| CASL/CAN-SPAM | Compliant | Not applicable |
| COPPA | Compliant | Compliant |
Zoom has wider compliance with security standards especially in the enterprise space like HIPAA and SOC 2.
Conclusion
Looking at various factors like encryption, privacy controls, vulnerabilities and certifications:
- WhatsApp is more secure for personal messaging – The end-to-end encryption and minimal data storage gives it an edge for privacy.
- Zoom offers more security controls for meetings – Zoom’s wide array of meeting privacy options like passwords, waiting rooms and locking make it favorable for business use.
- User behavior is a big risk in both – Reused meeting IDs in Zoom and texting confidential data on WhatsApp drives security risks.
- Zoombusiness certification edge makes it more appealing to enterprises – Compliance with HIPAA, SOC 2 and ISO standards provide assurance for regulated industries.
In summary, WhatsApp has an advantage for personal use while Zoom is more business-friendly. But both platforms still carry user driven risks showing the importance of education on security best practices.