Zoom Tops Weekly Download Charts

Video calling and conferencing app Zoom shot to the top of the U.S. download charts in the previous week, logging 3.2 million new downloads as Americans are working from home in unprecedented numbers. But problems with the software’s encryption have left many users wary of data security, hacking of personal devices and even uninvited guests hijacking meetings.

According to a ranking by Priori Data across Android and Apple Store platforms, video chatting apps – professional and otherwise – generally are in high demand nationwide, with Google’s Hangouts Meet and Houseparty also in the top 5. Google Classroom as well as Microsoft Teams are logging more downloads as workers as well as students work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it’s not all work on the download charts – games and video sharing apps help keep Americans entertained during lockdowns. Tik Tok was downloaded 1.9 million times in the past week – an increase of approximately 12 percent to the previous week – while games like Perfect Cream and Save the Girl also made the top 10.