Hey, there! Log in / Register
Zoombombers succeed in disrupting city session on aiding small businesses in the pandemic
By adamg on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 7:07pm
The Mayors Office of Economic Development called a Zoom meeting at 12:30 p.m. today to talk to Boston small-business owners about how the city can help them now and to solicit suggestions on how the city can help as the state begins to re-open the economy.
It did not go well. In fact, the office shut the conference down almost immediately because of at least two Zoombombers among the 247 people who connected. As has become typical, they began shouting racial epithets while one "shared" his screen so everybody could see his skill at drawing penises over a photo from his no doubt large collection of photos of them.
One participant, looking for actual useful information, sighed:
Finally they just pulled the plug. There has been no follow up email with an apology yet or a reschedule.
Zoom bombing is not new. Somebody really dropped the ball today.
There were at least two of them: One, named Jack Hoff, which is a name that would obvious to anybody with a familiarity with fifth-grade humor, and a second guy who actually posted the images.
Neighborhoods:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
What was said that was
What was said that was allegedly racist?
Not said, screamed
It was a common term racists have long used to describe black people.
jack hoff
i wonder if there is any relation to jack mehoffer.
Moe Sizlack
Is running our city’s zoom meetings.
The other guy
Heywood Jablomi??
They need help at City Hall
I saw that today. I wanted to get information on the roll out. I was so angry, I didn't need to be exposed to that. I can't believe City of Boston left themselves vulnerable that way.
I think the Mayor's office is doing a great job with some of the programs they are offering. I've been really impressed how they snapped together and have been innovated and generous.... but geez...
The small business office is AWFUL with these small business facebook events. Out of all people you would think that John Barros' office would have it together. They are late, confusing, too many people on the call.... It's always a disaster. He's such a smart guy, I hope this isn't a sign on how he would run the city. He was one of my favorite people there.
Someone told me it's his staff that's the problem. I still hold him accountable and I am disappointed.
Who's On First
I have yet to figure out who is on first in that office. Can't figure out titles and what they actually do. No transperancy. No easy way to reach them. Should have left that dept with the BRA.
Respectfully disagree. I have
Respectfully disagree. I have been on some of the calls too and found them helpful. I think they have done as good a job as possible in getting information and grant money out there.
The bigger question right here is why isn't the City of Boston using the more secure Zoom for Government or some other platform so that people cannot easily hack into it? It should have been obvious this was inevitable.
Apology from Barros
From e-mail he sent out:
Good
I’m glad he acknowledged the breach of trust. People need access to these programs. It’s one thing to create them, it’s another thing to provide them.
They truly need to re-evaluate their SB office or IT. This should be the easy part, but they consistently drop the ball.
Which is sad since they are so close to being amazing.
So close, yet so far.
Zoom
My company has banned Zoom to prevent these incidents or getting viruses. Mr. Hoff should be ashamed of himself.
There oughta be a law
Maybe there is a law. Anyway, morons who do that sort of thing should be persuaded not to.
MUTE
Wondering why they didn't start the meeting with the mute button on so only the moderator can be heard. Zoom is not rocket science.