The reason they're discovering that Zoom does so much heinous stuff without your permission to your PC is that their business model is:

FREE TIER: sell user data to advertisers

PAID PLANS: sell control of your computer to your boss (remote webcam enable, attention tracking)

Anyway, not trying to yuck on anybody's yum and staying social is important! But if you're looking for a good free videoconference service try https://meet.jit.si  which allows multi-user meetings, screenshare, etc AND it's free AND you don't even need to make an account.

(and the software it uses is open source and freely available—they run the site as a demonstration of its ability. Only downside is that it's a bit browser fussy--works great in Chrome and fine in Firefox)

HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING? https://daringfireball.net/linked/2020/03/31/zoom-email-leak

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1664925  it’s like watching that French waiter in the Simpsons injure himself on every piece of equipment in the kitchen.

And ANOTHER security issue today! Geez Louise. https://daringfireball.net/linked/2020/04/01/zoom-wardle