The Conversation (0)
News
Greg Evans
Apr 01, 2020
Picture:
Boris Johnson/Twitter
During these days and months of self-isolation, we have found ourselves more and more dependent on video call services like Skype, Google Hangout and Zoom, which are allowing us to connect with our family and work colleagues from the comfort of our own homes.
That goes for everyone from journalists to the top of government where even they are having to hold incredibly important cabinet meetings over video calls, especially after Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus last week.
Therefore on Tuesday, the prime minister held the first-ever "digital cabinet meeting" and shared a screenshot of all the ministers on the call.
This morning I chaired the first ever digital Cabinet. Our message to the public is: stay at home, protect the NH… https://t.co/rDtizZtEi0— Boris Johnson (@Boris Johnson) 1585662755
On the surface, nothing seems amiss here but if you are familiar with Zoom you will immediately notice that Johnson has shared the user names of some of the highest ranking politicians in the country with the rest of the world, as well as the ID number for the meeting room (although it more than likely has a password attached to it too). Oh and he has also muted the vast majority of them...
Johnson shared this image on Tuesday afternoon and Twitter was soon awash with jokes about the Tweet and the potentially glaring security errors.
if you'd like to dial into the Cabinet tomorrow, the Zoom meeting ID has helpfully been included in this screenshot https://t.co/Ng9n0DC6Iw— Matthew Champion (@Matthew Champion) 1585663516
If anyone wants to join the next UK Cabinet meeting, Boris Johnson has helpfully included the ZOOM ID ⤵️ https://t.co/WF2rTK76oi— Richard Chambers (@Richard Chambers) 1585663335
I deliberately left the Zoom ID visible so that everyone can join the next meeting and tell us what a good job they… https://t.co/UMmeQHWYps— Parody Boris Johnson (@Parody Boris Johnson) 1585685330
Excellent me and my Cats will be joining you tomorrow🤪 https://t.co/wE2iFuky4R— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@Deborah Meaden 💙) 1585674770
So many questions - not least why they've published the Zoom ID and why the PM has muted everybody... https://t.co/22bc8UujFC— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1585668126
When people started to look a little closer they noticed some truly eye-opening things, including Matt Hancock's narrow office, Michael Gove's user name and Liz Truss, who literally has a Union Jack in her house.
So much to take in here... Matt Hancock's incredibly narrow room. Liz Truss's carefully placed union flag. The empt… https://t.co/4eqoJ4nLcQ— Kieron Moore (@Kieron Moore) 1585664834
I'm fascinated by this picture: - has Boris muted everyone else? - have they all read that having a bookshelf behi… https://t.co/2UWFxWma07— Megan Davies (@Megan Davies) 1585663431
So much to unpack here- Sunak's Zoom name just being 'Chancellor of the Exchequer'? Liz Truss apparently having a m… https://t.co/Id9RX8jsW8— a (@a) 1585669917
@BorisJohnson If anyone wants to join the 2pm Cabinet Zoom call tomorrow, the password is “HerdImmunity”. And if y… https://t.co/yjuiXKcEme— Stefan Simanowitz (@Stefan Simanowitz) 1585666380
Where to begin - Zoom meeting ID in top left, let's all join! - Johnson does not understand camera angles - JRM st… https://t.co/uNx8pm9bWH— Stew Elliott 🔶 (@Stew Elliott 🔶) 1585664454
why does every member of the cabinet on zoom look like they've somehow got caught in a tabloid sting buying cocaine… https://t.co/A3OjvMbjY7— michael wave (@michael wave) 1585673737
It also reminded people of other websites such as Netflix.
Netflix home screen is just documentaries about serial killers and specials by "edgy" comedians these days. https://t.co/mqwCvZ7nfp— Ignacio Lopez (@Ignacio Lopez) 1585665959
The dating site from hell. https://t.co/bS6JXC1T9n— Tim Walker (@Tim Walker) 1585663423
Exclusive picture of the first ever digital Cabinet Office meeting via webcam. https://t.co/27OKY71syQ— Tiernan Douieb (@Tiernan Douieb) 1585669545
Still, at least Liz Truss enjoyed it.
First ever digital Cabinet. #StayHomeSaveLives https://t.co/aUK1EXCSrh— Liz Truss (@Liz Truss) 1585663582
Both Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock have tested positive for Covid-19 while Johnson's advisor Dominic Cummings has also shown symptoms forcing him to self-isolate.