Instagram Reenables GIF Sharing After GIPHY Promises No More Racism (techcrunch.com)

Earlier this month, Instagram and Snapchat dropped their GIPHY integrations when a racial slur slipped into the company's online database. Now Instagram is bringing GIPHY Integration back after GIPHY confirmed it's reviewed its GIF library four times and will preemptively review any new GIFs it adds. Snapchat has yet to bring the service back. TechCrunch reports: "We've been in close contact with GIPHY throughout this process and we're confident that they have put measures in place to ensure that Instagram users have a good experience," an Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch. GIPHY told TechCrunch in a statement: "To anyone who was affected: we're sorry. We take full responsibility for this recent event and under no circumstances does GIPHY condone or support this kind of content. We have also finished a full investigation into our content moderations systems and processes and have made specific changes to our process to ensure something like this does not happen again." The racial slur was spotted by a user in the UK around March 8th. "We've shared a censored version of the image below, but warning, it still includes graphic content that may be offensive to some users," reports TechCrunch.

Comments

Walled gardens

[lgw]

There really seems to be a market for these walled gardens. I don't get it, but then I browse Slashdot at -1. I guess enough people prefer bland innocuous pap to freedom. Well, that's people for you.

Re:Walled gardens

[haemish]

No, "real men" have better things to do with their lives than wade through drivel. I browse at +2

1984 isn't meant to be a how to guide

[Q-Hack!]

The concept of thought police, scares me more than anonymous racism.

Re:1984 isn't meant to be a how to guide

[Q-Hack!]

No, I think I understand it too well. The fact that you can't see the parallels in society today, is quite telling though.

Overly Sensitive Much?

[Templer421]

Grow up and toughen up a bit Millennials.

The Universe IS trying to kill you everyday, plan accordingly.

Re:Overly Sensitive Much?

[Anonymous Coward]

Stopping a platform from spreading hate - which leads to violence - is reasonable. Why should giphy offer up it's free service to racists? Don't like it? Start your own gif hosting platform that welcomes racism and see how well it does.
 
For all the generational vitriol and angst directed at Millenials (even when in cases like this claiming it is their fault is irrational), it seems like it's older generations who are the true snowflakes.

Re:Overly Sensitive Much?

[Dutch Gun]

No one is saying life isn't difficult for most people in various ways, regardless of sex, age, ethnicity / skin color, etc. But maybe it's not a bad thing to do what we collectively can to make it a little less unpleasant where the opportunity presents itself. Yes, the Universe eventually kills us all. That's why we should try to make the most of our brief existence, bringing joy, happiness, and hope to both ourselves AND others, rather than trying to tear others down.

I see nothing wrong with a private platform deciding that they don't want to spread hateful messages. That being said, I'd probably oppose the government demanding the same actions of a private entity on 1st amendment grounds.