Zoom DOWN in mysterious outage as video calling app stops working around the world
POPULAR video-streaming app Zoom has stopped working for some users around the world in a mysterious outage.
The app has seen a surge of popularity in recent weeks as the coronavirus crisis forces many people to work remotely – relying heavily on video calling to keep in touch.
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Zoom not working – why is the app offline?
According to outage tracker Down Detector, Zoom users began reporting issues just before 9am UK time (4am NYC time).
The majority of users complained about problems with logging in and video-conferencing.
A live outage map suggests the outage is affected the whole of Western Europe – but it's not clear if all users are affected.
It's not clear if the issue affects the US yet, as problems began while the majority of America was still asleep.
We don't know why the app is offline, but it's potentially linked to increased usage during the coronavirus pandemic.
Many services and network operators have reported an increase in daytime usage as the COVID-19 outbreak forces workers to do their jobs from home.
This is putting different kinds of strain on apps as working patterns shift dramatically through the world.
What is Zoom?
Popular chat app Zoom is best-known for offering video calls – including with huge numbers of people.
There's a free tier with unlimited meetings, but these group chats are capped at 40 minutes.
The most expensive tier gets you meetings with up to 1,000 participants, but there are cheaper options.
Perhaps the only downside is that Zoom has had privacy issues in the past, which may put some businesses off.
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Zoom outage – is there an official response?
Zoom hasn't released an official statement about the issue.
The official Zoom account on Twitter is silent on the matter.
We've asked Zoom for comment and will update this story with any response.
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Have you had any issues with Zoom today? Let us know in the comments!
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