Facebook announced today that it’s acquiring Giphy for an alleged sum of US$400 million.
Facebook characterized the acquisition—reportedly worth $400 million—as a way to help its millions of users “better express themselves.” […] Facebook says it will not collect information specific to individual people using Giphy’s API, but it will get valuable data about usage patterns across the web.
I definitely don’t believe them when they say that won’t collect individual data. That is Facebook’s raison d’être. This is exactly like its usage of the Onavo VPN spyware: Collect data on how people use GIFs everywhere, especially on competitor’s platforms. Mark Zuckerberg is furiously trying to beat Snapchat into submission. They rejected him once and he’s been out for blood ever since. GIFs may sound like a stretch when it comes to data collection, but keep in mind that web beacons exist.
Check It Out: Facebook Bought Giphy. What Does That Mean for Privacy?
“I definitely don’t believe them when they say that won’t collect individual data. That is Facebook’s raison d’être.”
I have a Facebook account and am active on it, but I don’t use any of their apps.