Amid surge in Zoom users, Facebook launches Messenger 'Rooms' for video calls

Amid a surge in Zoom user base, Facebook on Friday announced the launch of virtual "rooms" where people can video chat and add up to 50 people in the groups.

The coronavirus-driven lockdown of millions of people globally has driven huge growth in the use of platforms like Zoom, Skype or Microsoft's Teams application.

These Messenger Rooms is tailored for socialising with friends and family whether it be birthdays, happy hours, book clubs or parents groups, in contrast with Zoom, developed with business in mind.

"This is designed to be more serendipitous and spontaneous," Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg told news agency AFP.

The launch comes amid a surge in Zoom use not only for business meetings but family and social gatherings moved online due to the health crisis.

Despite the growing criticism over privacy issues, Zoom' user base grew by another 50% bring the number to 300 million in the last three weeks. While the shares of the US-based company rose 12% to a record high of $168.24 today.