Andy Burnham, former Greater Manchester mayor, has criticized the growing trend of conducting job interviews via video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, arguing that the format may disadvantage candidates who rely on personal interaction to express their individuality and passion. Speaking on the Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future podcast, Burnham questioned how young applicants can effectively showcase their personality through virtual interviews, suggesting that the approach favors those who provide more scripted responses.

Zoom responded by emphasizing that the challenge lies not in the interview format but in how employers conduct interviews. Louise Newbury-Smith, head of UK and Ireland at Zoom, stated that poor interviewing practices existed long before the adoption of video technology and maintained that the medium itself has never been a decisive factor in candidate performance. She also highlighted that video interviews have made recruitment more accessible by removing geographical barriers and reducing costs for applicants.

Burnham cautioned that reliance on technology in recruitment risks diminishing fairness, asserting that hiring processes should focus on recognizing candidates’ unique qualities. Newbury-Smith reaffirmed that digital interviews can broaden opportunities for many job seekers while underscoring the need for employers to create environments where all candidates can perform at their best.

In a separate development, premium eyewear company Ace & Tate has disclosed a data breach involving customer information after one of its logistics partners, Ceva Logistics, suffered two cyberattacks last week. Ceva Logistics handles billing and delivery data, including customer addresses, contact details, and shipment tracking information. Ace & Tate confirmed that payment information, such as bank account numbers and card details, was not compromised.

Following the incidents, Ace & Tate reported the breach to the Dutch Data Protection Authority and is conducting an ongoing investigation. Other organizations affected by the Ceva breach include ING Bank and Ajax Systems, a global technology firm. The eyewear retailer informed customers that while its own systems remain secure, delivery-related processes such as orders, returns, and refunds may experience delays.

Ace & Tate has warned customers of potential phishing attempts stemming from the breach and advised them to be cautious of unsolicited messages containing links or attachments. The company reiterated that it does not request passwords or payment information through email, phone, or text messages.

The series of cyberattacks underscores growing concerns over the security of third-party data handlers within global supply chains and the challenges companies face in protecting customer information amidst rising cyber threats.