Zoom is lifting its 40-minute restriction on free video chats for Thanksgiving Day in a bid to make it easier for families and friends to connect.
Given that it’s more difficult than ever to convene for the holidays this year, Zoom is working to make its service a more viable option for users to connect via the platform’s Basic plan.
Zoom has always offered its Basic plan for users that cuts off at 40 minutes as an incentive to get users to upgrade. While you can just restart a call with a new group after that timeframe has ended, it’s not the most ideal setup for multiple callers to remain connected during a virtual gathering.
Zoom isn’t the only platform to impose this type of limits. Google Meet requires that users restart calls after 60 minutes, and most providers charge for removing these restrictions. This is a special case for Zoom to lift its limits for its #ZoomTogether initiative, as a “thank you” to customers.
The removal is temporary and only for customers on Thanksgiving Day, or November 26. It will last from midnight to 6am ET on November 27. While this is only a short-lived change for users that friends and families will no doubt benefit from, it’s still a nice gesture on Zoom’s part to help ensure those looking for a peaceful gathering for the holiday can have just that if they want it.
It remains to be seen if other holidays will benefit from the same restriction lift from Zoom in the coming weeks.
