Zoom has become a household name in recent years as the go-to platform for virtual meetings, happy hours and family gatherings. With its user-friendly interface and reliability, it quickly became indispensable for remote work and social distancing — both vital during the COVID pandemic.
In an effort to balance the demand on their servers and ensure a smooth experience for all users, Zoom has imposed new changes on their free plans: a mandatory 10-minute wait period before restarting meetings.
Previously, users could disconnect and reconnect instantly after the 40-minute time limit, allowing them to have uninterrupted meetings. However, Zoom now requires a 10-minute wait before free-plan meetings can be restarted.
This change was not announced or rolled out officially, but users have noticed it since January. It is unclear which accounts are affected, but it is likely that this change will eventually be applied to all users.
Zoom's decision to implement new restrictions on its free plans stems from its aim to strike a balance between meeting the needs of its users and ensuring the sustainability and profitability of the company. As the demand for video conferencing services continues to skyrocket, Zoom has found it necessary to make adjustments to manage the sheer volume of users on its platform.
