Taiwan Bans Government Entities From Using Zoom For Videoconferencing After Firm Routed Data Through China 

Taiwan has banned government entities from using the widely-adopted videoconferencing app Zoom following revelations that the company had routed some calls through Chinese network, BBC reported.

Taiwan's government said public bodies should not use products with security concerns "such as Zoom".

“In response to the continuous development of the Wuhan Pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic in China…various agencies may use remote videoconferencing systems to cooperate with off-site offices or district offices,” the government said in a statement. “If agencies must hold remote videoconferencing for business needs, they should not use products with security concerns such as Zoom.”

The official statement from Taiwanese government also told public institutions that “non-Chinese video software must be used” when conducting video conferences.

Where possible, domestic solutions should be used, Taiwanese government advised, adding that in special circumstances, Google or Microsoft's apps were acceptable. Those firms operate the Duo and Skype services respectively. Both are being provided as free software during the epidemic

China does not recognise Taiwan’s sovereignty and regards it as a renegade rebel province, destined to be reunited with the mainland.

Zoom, a San Jose based enterprise, has witnessed a dramatic surge in the adoption of its video calling app following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, as various businesses have migrated to remote operations.

Zoom said the traffic was "mistakenly" routed through Beijing, and apologised.