You're on a Zoom call discussing something sensitive. Maybe it's salary negotiations. Maybe it's a confidential business deal. Maybe it's just a private conversation you don't want anyone else hearing.

You think it's private because it's "encrypted." But here's the thing: encrypted doesn't always mean what you think it means.

The uncomfortable truth about most video calls

When you're on a typical Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet call, here's what actually happens with your video and audio:

You speak → Your device encrypts it → Sends to Zoom's servers → Zoom decrypts it → Processes it → Re-encrypts it → Sends to other participants

See that middle part? Zoom (or whoever) has your unencrypted video and audio on their servers. They can see it. They can hear it. They process it.

"But it's encrypted!" you say. Yes, in transit. But not end-to-end.

The difference that matters

Transport encryption (what most video services use):

• Your data is encrypted while traveling over the internet
• The service provider can decrypt and see everything
• Like sending a sealed letter through the post office it's sealed in transit, but the post office could open it if they wanted

End-to-end encryption (what actually protects privacy):

• Only you and the recipient can decrypt the content
• The service provider can't see anything
• Like a locked box that only you and your friend have keys to the post office carries it but can't open it

Why companies don't use end-to-end encryption

If Zoom can't see your video, they can't:

• Add virtual backgrounds
• Do noise cancellation
• Transcribe the call
• Record it (well, they can, but you'd have to)
• Detect inappropriate content
• Provide customer support for quality issues

These features require processing your video/audio on their servers. Which requires decrypting it first.

So they've made a choice: Features over true privacy.

How WebRTC changes this

WebRTC creates direct connections between participants. Your video goes straight from your device to theirs, encrypted the entire way, with no one in the middle.

You speak → Your device encrypts it → Directly to recipient → Their device decrypts it

No server processing. No company peeking. No middleman.

It's truly end-to-end encrypted because there's literally no one in the middle to decrypt it.

But wait, doesn't Zoom offer end-to-end encryption?

They do now (as of a few years ago), but:

1. It's opt-in, not default. Most people never turn it on.

2. It disables features. No cloud recording, no transcription, no joining by phone, no live streaming.

3. Only works for certain plans. Free users couldn't use it initially (changed later).

4. Still requires trust. You're trusting they implemented it correctly and aren't keeping copies.

With WebRTC, end-to-end encryption isn't optional it's how the technology works.

Real scenarios where this matters

Salary negotiations

You're discussing your salary with your boss. HR uses Zoom. That means Zoom's servers process your conversation. Their employees could theoretically access it. It's probably stored on their servers.

With WebRTC: Direct connection. No one else in the conversation.

Medical consultations

Telemedicine on Zoom means your health information goes through their servers. Even if it's encrypted in transit, Zoom processes it.

Some telehealth companies use WebRTC specifically to avoid this patient privacy is a big deal.

Legal discussions

Lawyers talking to clients. Discussing strategies, evidence, confidential matters. On Zoom, that all goes through their servers.

Some law firms are moving to WebRTC-based solutions for this exact reason.

Business deals

Negotiating a merger. Discussing trade secrets. Planning strategy against competitors.

Do you want that going through a third-party company's servers? Even encrypted, they have the keys.

"I have nothing to hide"

That's not the point. Privacy isn't about hiding things it's about control.

Would you be comfortable with someone reading all your mail? Recording all your conversations? Watching all your video calls?

Probably not. Even if you're not doing anything wrong, you still value privacy.

The metadata problem

Even with end-to-end encryption, services know:

• Who you call
• When you call
• How long you talk
• Where you are (your IP address)
• What device you use

This "metadata" tells a story. Someone analyzing it could learn:

• Your daily schedule
• Who you work with
• Your relationships
• Your patterns and habits

WebRTC reduces but doesn't eliminate this. Someone still facilitates the connection initially. But at least your actual content is truly private.

The trust question

With traditional video services, you're trusting:

• The company not to look at your data
• Their employees to be ethical
• Their security to be perfect
• Them not to get hacked
• Them not to be legally compelled to provide access
• Their policies not to change

That's a lot of trust.

With WebRTC, you only trust:

• Your own device
• Your recipient's device
• The encryption standards (which are public and vetted)

Much shorter trust chain.

The realistic view

WebRTC isn't perfect privacy. Nothing is. But it's significantly better than traditional video services for actually private conversations.

Trade-offs exist. Fewer features, more technical setup, possible compatibility issues.

Most calls probably don't need this level of privacy. Your weekly team standup? Zoom is fine. Negotiating your salary or discussing confidential client matters? Maybe WebRTC is better.

What companies are hiding

Video call companies don't advertise: "Your conversations go through our servers where we can see everything!"

They say: "Encrypted calls!" (technically true, but misleading)

They say: "Secure!" (from hackers maybe, but not from them)

They say: "Private!" (depends on your definition of private)

They're not lying, exactly. But they're not being fully transparent either.

How to actually protect your privacy

For truly sensitive conversations:

1. Use WebRTC-based tools (Jitsi, Signal, Wire, etc.)
2. Or enable end-to-end encryption if your service offers it
3. Or use old-fashioned phone calls (ironically more private than video calls through apps)

For regular conversations:

• Zoom/Teams/Meet are probably fine
• Just know they're not truly private
• Don't discuss things you wouldn't want the company potentially seeing

Always:

• Use strong passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Keep software updated
• Be aware of who's in the "room" (digital or physical)

Why this matters more now

We're doing more sensitive stuff over video now:

• Medical appointments
• Legal consultations
• Financial planning
• Therapy sessions
• Business negotiations

These used to happen in person. In private offices. Behind closed doors.

Now they happen over video calls. But are they really behind closed doors if they go through a company's servers?

The bottom line

Most video call services are "secure enough" for casual use. But they're not truly private because they can see your content.

WebRTC provides actual privacy through direct connections. Nothing goes through a company's servers.

Choose based on your needs:

Regular work calls, catching up with friends, casual use: → Traditional services are fine

Sensitive conversations, confidential matters, privacy is important: → Look into WebRTC-based options

You don't need to be paranoid. But you should be informed. Know what "encrypted" actually means. Know who can see what.

Then decide what level of privacy your conversations actually need.

Privacy isn't about having something to hide. It's about having control over who sees and hears your private moments. In an increasingly digital world, that's worth thinking about.

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For truly private file transfers: Try NotesQR direct connections, nothing stored on servers.

Questions? Reach out on LinkedIn or X.com.