Significant amount of ‘Zoom bombing’ cases under investigation in Centre County, DA says
The Centre County district attorney’s office plans to aggressively prosecute anyone who engages in a cyber attack known as “Zoom bombing,” the county’s top prosecutor said Tuesday.
Zoom bombing, which is when an unwanted guest joins a video call with an intention to disrupt and harass others, began to happen when institutions turned to the teleconferencing software to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic.
“These times are challenging enough with the restrictions we have to work under, without having to deal with someone disrupting a 400-person classroom or a community meeting,” Cantorna said. “We are all in this together and we don’t need this kind of conduct. It is not funny, it is criminal.”
There are a “significant” amount of cases being investigated in Centre County, Cantorna said.
Some Penn State meetings and classes have been the target of Zoom bombing, a university spokesman said.
Penn State police have received 26 reports of Zoom bombing at University Park, along with six additional reports at branch campuses, since March 31.
Each report is under investigation and the university expects to work closely with Cantorna’s office, spokesman Wyatt DuBois said.
“I applaud the district attorney and his willingness to be proactive in addressing this issue. We are grateful for his support and assistance in keeping our students, employees and the larger community safe,” university police Chief Joe Milek said in a statement. “The majority of these incidents are vile, reprehensible and dehumanizing.”
No State College Area School District classes have been interrupted by Zoom bombing, district spokesman Chris Rosenblum said.
Using a computer with an intent to impede access to information and disrupting others without authorization each warrant a felony charge in Pennsylvania. The charges each carry a maximum of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
“Zoom bombers” should expect to be charged with felonies for every time they disrupted a meeting, Cantorna said.
The university earlier this month released guidance for Zoom users to minimize the potential for disruptions, including requiring a password, requiring participants to enter a waiting room and locking a meeting.
Those with information about Zoom bombing incidents are encouraged to contact their police department.