Key Points
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Zoombombing meaning: Zoombombing is when uninvited people join online meetings and cause disruptions.
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Google Meet’s new update: The new “waiting room” feature gives hosts full control over who joins their meeting.
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Secure meetings: The waiting room feature improves privacy, prevents interruptions, and keeps discussions organized.
Focus Keywords:
Zoombombing, Google Meet waiting room
Zoombombing: The growing issue in virtual meetings
Zoombombing has become one of the most annoying and concerning problems in the digital world. The term came into use during the pandemic when thousands of people shifted to online meetings for work, education, and personal use. Zoombombing happens when uninvited individuals enter a virtual meeting, often using leaked meeting links or weak security settings. Once inside, they may share offensive content, spam the chat, play loud noises, or otherwise disturb participants.
While the name originated from Zoom, Zoombombing is not limited to that platform. It can happen in any video conferencing app — including Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Webex. These interruptions not only waste time but also pose serious security and privacy risks. Businesses can lose sensitive information, teachers can lose control of online classes, and individuals can face harassment or embarrassment. Recognizing how widespread and disruptive these attacks can be, tech companies are continuously adding new tools to improve security.
Google Meet waiting room: A new step towards safer virtual meetings
To tackle the problem of Zoombombing, Google has rolled out a new “waiting room” feature in Google Meet. This update gives meeting hosts more control over who joins and when. Think of the waiting room as a virtual lobby — when participants click a meeting link, they are not admitted right away. Instead, they wait until the host or co-host manually allows them into the meeting.
This setup ensures that only verified participants get access, keeping out random intruders and bots. The Google Meet waiting room shows participants a polite message letting them know the meeting will begin shortly. It also allows hosts to preview the list of waiting participants before admitting them. The hosts can choose to admit, deny, or even send someone back to the waiting room if needed.
Google has also added flexibility by allowing co-hosts to manage the waiting room. This is helpful in large meetings where multiple organizers handle admissions and flow. With these changes, meetings become smoother, more professional, and interruption-free.
Zoombombing prevention: Why the waiting room feature matters
The new waiting room directly helps prevent Zoombombing by putting a barrier between outsiders and your actual meeting. In the past, even if a meeting had a passcode, people who got the link could still enter freely once the meeting began. With the waiting room, they can’t do that anymore. The host must first approve their entry.
This is especially valuable for confidential meetings such as board discussions, interviews, online classrooms, or legal consultations. For example, a teacher can ensure only enrolled students enter class, or a business leader can admit only approved employees and clients. If an unexpected name appears in the waiting list, the host can simply ignore or remove them — no more unpleasant surprises mid-meeting.
The Google Meet waiting room also enhances meeting organization. Hosts can make pre-meeting announcements, manage timing, and allow participants in batches once everything is ready. This creates a sense of professionalism, reduces confusion, and makes sure meetings start on time.
How to enable Google Meet’s waiting room feature
Setting up the Google Meet waiting room is straightforward. When creating or editing an event in Google Calendar, hosts can find an option to turn on the waiting room under meeting safety controls. Admins of organizations — such as schools or companies — can also enable or disable it by default at the domain or group level.
Currently, the feature is turned off by default for most users. However, organizations using Google Workspace (Business, Enterprise, Education, or individual plans) can activate it easily. Google started rolling out the feature on October 23, 2025, and it will be available to most users over the coming weeks.
The best part is that this update doesn’t require any complicated setup. Once enabled, all participants trying to join will automatically go through the waiting room process unless the host disables it for that particular meeting.
Zoombombing and data privacy: How waiting rooms boost user trust
Beyond preventing interruptions, Zoombombing incidents have raised serious questions about data safety in online meetings. Attackers sometimes record screens, steal data, or share malicious links. Google Meet’s waiting room plays an important role in reducing such risks. By controlling who enters, it helps keep unknown or suspicious accounts from accessing meeting materials or conversations.
Additionally, hosts get real-time notifications when someone requests to join, making it easier to verify identity before granting access. This reduces the chances of “spoof” participants who pretend to be legitimate members. As a result, organizations gain more trust and confidence in using virtual meetings for critical discussions.
The waiting room also supports better moderation. If a participant’s behavior becomes disruptive, the host can immediately move them back to the waiting room or remove them entirely. It’s a simple but powerful way to maintain order without ending the entire meeting.
Conclusion: A smarter way to stop Zoombombing and secure your meetings
The introduction of Google Meet’s waiting room feature marks a big step forward in online meeting security. It empowers hosts with more control, minimizes disruptions, and ensures smooth collaboration. Whether you’re a student, teacher, manager, or entrepreneur, this feature makes your virtual communication more professional and secure.
Zoombombing may still exist on other platforms, but with smart updates like this, Google Meet is setting a strong example for the rest of the industry. As remote work and virtual education continue to grow, tools that prioritize privacy and user experience will define the future of digital meetings.
By understanding what Zoombombing is and how waiting rooms work, users can stay alert, keep their data safe, and enjoy online meetings without fear of unwanted interruptions.
