The video conferencing platform Zoom plans to temporarily remove its 40 minute time limit on free user accounts for upcoming holidays, including Christmas and Hanukkah.
“COVID-19 has changed how we live, work, and celebrate in 2020, and like everything else this year, the holiday season doesn’t look the same,” according to a blogpost published by the video-conferencing company Zoom. “As a token of appreciation to our users during an extraordinary time, we’re removing the 40-minute limit on free Zoom accounts for all meetings globally for several upcoming special occasions.”
Whether celebrating the last day of Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, or even the last days of Kwaanza, Zoom promised “those connecting with friends and family won’t get cut short.”
Previously, anyone with a free Zoom account would find meetings cut off abruptly at the 40 minute mark. It is hoped that the removal of this cut off will encourage people to socialise virtually over the coming weeks, rather than participate in riskier in-person meetings.
Here are the dates and times for the fee unlimited meetings:
- 10 a.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 17, to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 19
- 10 a.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 23, to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 26
- 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 30, to 6 a.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 2
The company said users don’t need to do anything to remove the time limits; it will be automatically lifted during those times.
It recommended families protect from uninvited guests by using a passcode or enabling waiting rooms. The company also suggested using festive virtual backgrounds.
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