Zoom is temporarily lifting its 40-minute call limit: Here’s what that means

Zoom said that it is temporarily removing the restrictions so that families are able to enjoy Thanksgiving.

FILE - This April 18, 2019, file photo shows a sign for Zoom Video Communications ahead of the company's Nasdaq IPO in New York. Federal regulators are requiring Zoom to strengthen its security in a proposed settlement of allegations that the video conferencing service misled users about its level of security for meetings. The settlement was announced Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, by the Federal Trade Commission. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) (AP)

Zoom has announced that it is temporarily lifting the 40-minute call limit that it imposes on all free calls made via its platform. This limit will be lifted at midnight on November 26 and it will be applicable through 6AM on November 27.

Zoom said that it is temporarily removing the restrictions so that families are able to enjoy Thanksgiving. “As a thank you to our customers, we will be lifting the 40-minute limit for all meetings globally from midnight ET on Nov. 26 through 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 27 so your family gatherings don't get cut short,” Zoom wrote in a message on Twitter.

As a thank you to our customers, we will be lifting the 40-minute limit for all meetings globally from midnight ET on Nov. 26 through 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 27 so your family gatherings don't get cut short. ❤️🏡 #ZoomTogether pic.twitter.com/aubsH0tfxG

— Zoom (@zoom_us) November 10, 2020

What is interesting about this announcement is that it is applicable on calls made via its free tier globally. This means that irrespective of the fact whether users live in the USA or not or if they celebrate this festival or not, they will be able to enjoy the benefits of this concession. This is also true for users in India. Zoom users in India too will be able to unrestricted free calls on Zoom but at a slightly different time. Indian users will be able to make use of this concession between 10:30AM IST on November 26 to 4:30PM IST on November 27.

Notably, the 40-minute call limit has been one of tkey restrictions that Zoom has imposed on its basic tier throughout the pandemic. It forces groups to restart calls when the limit expires. It also encourages users to upgrade to an enterprise plan. That said, Zoom is not the only company that imposes a call-limit on its free tier. For instance, Google Meet imposes a 60-minute call limit while Cisco Webex has a 50-minute call limit.