Technology
Zoom has temporarily removed Giphy from the chat functionality
Zoom has temporarily disabled the integration of Giphy's GIF platform into its chat feature, the company said in a blog post. "As soon as additional technical and security measures have been implemented, we will re-enable the feature." Zoom did not offer any further details on the removal of Giphy.
The company mentioned the change as part of its latest list of security updates to the platform, which also includes limitations on screen sharing, changes to muting and unmuting functions, and restrictions on logging in to multi-device meetings (for meetings requiring registration).
The move comes a few days after Facebook bought Giphy for over $300 million, with plans to add it to Instagram. How the merger would affect Giphy's integrations with other sites including Twitter, TikTok, and iMessage — all Facebook competitors — remains uncertain, but Facebook has had well-documented privacy and security problems.
At the time of Facebook acquisition, Giphy's GIFs did not use any embedded tracking, and according to the company, its API did not have access to user data.
Zoom also had its share of security issues as demand for its service increased during the coronavirus pandemic, with people working and schooling remotely.
