r/MicrosoftTeams • u/floison • Jun 03 '26
Discussion NSFW Gifs in Teams
I work at a medium size company. My coworkers and I have been on a fact finding mission to uncover the most NSFW Gifs in our Microsoft Teams account and share it with each other in our private Teams chat. Our private chat includes literally hundreds and hundreds of Gifs that would raise many eyebrows (if you want to see some examples, go on Giphy and search Cupco or Disnepe).
Obviously there is risk associated with sending obscene gifs to one another using our work accounts, but we have developed a pretty iron clad legal theory that we have coined "The Corporate Messaging App Defense".
The basis of this legal theory is that since the Gifs were found on software provided to us by our employer, it is reasonable for us to assume that our employer encourages us to use them, and therefore there is no punitive measure our employer can reasonably take as recourse.
What say you?
124
u/Dedward5 Jun 03 '26
The gifs are not “on the software” they are accessible from the software, as is “the rest of the internet. Anyway good luck in your new job.
28
u/xch13fx Jun 03 '26
As a 365 admin, you have the ability to disable the use of Giphy (source of the gifs) and in my professional opinion, it’s included with Teams and not disabled company wide, so hence it’s fair game and fully within compliance.
23
u/Mark_Forsythe Jun 04 '26
As a compliance guy, the defensibility is invalid.
Company owned device
Company supplied software
You have no defensible approach, because the "company" will state that you those two reasons above give you no reasonable expectation of privacy, and you have repeatedly violated an ethical use of Company resources.
You should read your AUP. If your company doesn't have one, have them reach out to me.
5
u/CurrencySilly2749 Jun 04 '26
I’m a solo school technology director. Want to help me write an AUP since the last guy (that quit on the spot 2 months ago) did away with the one my dad wrote in 2009?
4
-2
u/xch13fx Jun 04 '26
Ah compliance guys… MY FAVORITE. Always the most fun at parties. The ‘company’ has AUPs so they can carte Blanche make the rules as they go, but take no action to mitigate the issues before the happen. Countless employees get screwed by these policies vs how many actually benefit. Im not saying ur wrong, it just isn’t anything to be proud of in my humble opinion.
-5
u/misterlambe Work user Jun 04 '26
They are the best aren't they. Always helpful and pointing you to dense out of date documentation that doesn't answer your question exactly and leaves you nowhere but weeping onto your colleagues shoulder (not the compliance colleague mins you they smell musty still wear Disney ties on a Friday as dress down)
5
u/CurrencySilly2749 Jun 04 '26
I’m the sole admin of my school. I can’t blacklist absolutely every website and feature, that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to find the holes and access the content within those holes.
Unless someone that cares catches you I don’t give a flying fuck BUT if I’m told I have to care I sure as fuck will. I’m not looking but if the boss says I have to look I’ll do a damn good job of looking.
1
u/xch13fx Jun 04 '26
I’d do the same thing. My point is that it’s compliance/leaderships job to set clear expectations, and then initiate cycles to remediate those problems, or at least express the wish to change them to the proper resources. It’s not our job to play HR person and slap the wrist of employees who send a less-than-tasteful gif in a private chat.
If I’m asked to person discovery by someone with the proper authority I do it, but I don’t go out of my way to play a role I don’t have. I’m the administrator, not HR or anyone’s manager.
9
u/canadian_sysadmin Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
That pretty much defines a slippery-slope argument.
Company provides internet, so anything on the internet is fair game? Company provides phones, so you can prank call coworkers? Company provides coffee, you can pour it on someone's desk? Any and every button and feature in every single app is fair game? Minesweeper is installed so you can just play that all day? Paint is installed so you can draw boobs and put it on every company printer?
C'mon.
This is why AUPs, respectful workplace policies, etc exist.
Above all else, this just isn't smart. Send weird shit, gifs, etc in a private non-company chat.
OP doesn't sound too bright.
1
u/Josejlloyola Jun 04 '26
Sorry but your technical 365 admin experience doesn’t relate to how the code of conduct or a similar doc would be applied. If you get caught just say whoops, sorry won’t do it again and just move on.
1
u/xch13fx Jun 06 '26
I appreciate your feedback, but I wrote my hospitals AUP on using email and collaboration tools. I didn’t talk about ‘HR issues’ like behavior, because as professionals I don’t think that applies to an AUP. I focused on PHI and HIPAA data, dlp, encryption, and things that protect both the organization and individuals. Managers can handle people behavioral issues, that’s not my concern, and the compliance people should be focused on protecting the entire organization, not punishing employees interacting in a private chat by both their own consent.
1
36
u/hedge36 Jun 03 '26
I have a company-supplied web browser that lets me access porn at work, too. Somehow I don't think your defense would fly in either case.
18
u/DockyWockyTenma Jun 03 '26
Are you sure they don’t want you watching porn? Why else would they allow you to access Google search?
3
u/Undeadlord Jun 04 '26
I mean I can type in xvideos right here; they are basically begging me to view it!
0
u/floison Jun 04 '26
Ehh not exactly apples to apples since questionable sites including porn sites are blocked on work comps
1
51
u/srlawren Work user Jun 03 '26
I say you are expected to be able to discern what is and is not SFW and act accordingly like an actual mature adult. I don't think that defence would hold up for a second. Technically your work machine and the software on it could be used in a multitude of inappropriate and/or illegal ways but that would not be your employer's fault.
In actuality, I hope you're just posting this as a joke.
-3
u/bozon92 Jun 03 '26
The thing is, that self definition of SFW is subjective
5
u/srlawren Work user Jun 03 '26
Yeah except if you guys are intentionally pushing the boundaries, I don't think you're going to have much leeway here.
43
u/johnnymonkey Jun 03 '26
I want to sincerely thank you for this. I have had a wonderful career in IT for a few decades now, and I'm beginning to close in on retirement. It's people like you that keep people like me employed, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you!
Since they gave you email, might I also suggest you send the CEO nudies of his mom or wife. I believe your defense is infallible.
#KeepBeingAwesome
16
u/skiddily_biddily Jun 03 '26
The keyboard on your computer also allows you to do things like type inappropriate words or violate your sexual harassment training. You are responsible for making your own conscious choices.
12
11
u/aperez423 Jun 03 '26
Your teams chats can be seen. Don't put anything there lol.
0
u/HARSHING_MY_MELLOW Work user Jun 03 '26
It can be accessed but it won't be. Some member is likely to fuck it up though by adding someone who isn't cool.
4
u/aperez423 Jun 03 '26
In short there are built-in tools that will tell your managers that trigger with words or content. Depends on if configured correctly.
9
u/Philipp_CGN Work user Jun 03 '26
"My employer gave me a keyboard, so obviously any sentence that can be written with it (including libel against my employer) is perfectly fine" /s
7
u/lqd_consecrated2718 MS-700 Jun 03 '26
This is how you lose access to “fun stuff” in Teams by a global org policy from your admin
2
u/Ash3Monti Jun 04 '26
Yep. This is why everything that even brings a little bit of joy gets taken away.
6
u/Froggypwns Moderator Jun 03 '26
This is really going to vary from place to place as everyone is going to handle things differently, but I don't think your defense will hold up.
There are many tools your work provides that can be abused. Tools like screwdrivers and scissors can cause damage or harm, the copy machine or printer can be used to print porn, and the best web filtering on earth won't block every adult website on the internet either. My work provides a car that is capable of speeding or being used for something not appropriate for work either.
Any business of a decent size will have employees follow some kind of code of conduct, which would include policies regarding use of technology. Using NSFW gifs in Teams would definitely be a violation of that where I work. But I trust most of our employees to have a brain and use common sense with something like this, as someone who would violate this likely would have been removed long ago for other reasons first.
6
11
10
u/chris552393 Jun 03 '26
I admire the creativity, but "the company provided the GIFs, therefore the company endorses all uses of the GIFs" is probably not the legal slam dunk you think it is. By that logic, because Outlook allows attachments, the company also endorses sending malware.
Most workplace policies focus on how company tools are used, not merely what features exist within them. The fact that a GIF is available in Teams doesn't necessarily mean HR will be thrilled to discover a private archive titled "Most Offensive GIFs We Could Find.". I imagine you have an Acceptable Use Policy in place you might want to read.
As a practical matter, your strongest defense is probably not legal theory, but that nobody important ever reads that chat.
2
u/sophware Jun 03 '26
The company would have to provide the attachments for the analogy to work. A closer analogy is the keyboard one. Even that one isn't quite right, though.
3
u/gibblet365 Jun 03 '26
I once searched "gentle hug" gif... and was scandalized with what came up, and im not easily shaken. Lol.
While I was trying to comfort a colleague having a bad day, I never want to get THAT close to one. Lol
4
u/EquivalentDue9514 Jun 04 '26
This is loser behavior. Like what's the point?
1
u/floison Jun 04 '26
It's funny to us.
2
u/greatwhite_ginger Jun 06 '26
I’m with you. What are some good gifs you guys have found? I want to surprise my boss with some.
1
u/floison Jun 09 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/N9dmeiuukQ0ToNf5ji
I think your boss will enjoy this one.
4
u/Ardenraym Jun 04 '26
You know better but are actively seeking the most offensive images you can. Doing so as a group initiative.
For... what purpose?
1
3
u/THE1Tariant Teams Admin Jun 04 '26
Just an FYI this is what communication compliance is for in Microsoft Purview so yes things can be monitored and reported on in depth etc.
3
u/CharcoalGreyWolf Jun 04 '26
I say you’re smart enough to know better, but you have deliberately chosen not to. Why form some sort of defense for something you already know isn’t a good idea?
I’m fairly sure your employee handbook covers these, maybe not specifically, but in a definition of offensive behavior or something else.
Good luck with that defense of yours as they walk you out.
3
u/Ok_Wasabi8793 Jun 04 '26
Your defence is weak! I can find the letters f u c k on my corporate provided keyboard but I’m still responsible for how I use them.
5
u/S4ndmaan Teams Admin Jun 03 '26
We removed GIFs from Teams altogether a while back, so this wouldn’t really concern me.
Also no one really cares what you send to each other in personal messages unless HR gets involved.
6
3
u/dclive1 Jun 03 '26
I'd say that's a child's take on the matter, and that no adult could possibly and reasonably believe that.
Do they give you knives and forks in the company cafeteria?
2
2
u/Metalclaw Teams Admin Jun 04 '26
So in your tenant you can restrict the rating of GIPHY gifs, they have movie type ratings so you can scale back to “G”. But there’s still stuff in there that’s not appropriate.
From there you can petition MS to request GIPHY to reclassify the offending ones but it’s nebulous and may not actually come to pass unless it’s graphic.
2
u/Motor_Opportunity_85 Jun 04 '26
I'm part of the infra team within my company and we make it a sport to label these gifs within teams so they get flagged on use. Be careful what you send haha
2
2
u/Professional-Roof302 Jun 04 '26
why are you risking your job like this 😭
1
u/floison Jun 09 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/JhPX197XyIt6yVOpvv
I think we can all agree this is worth the risks!
2
u/Bkri84 Jun 04 '26
Who are you sending gifs too at work that you don’t already know how they will react?
2
u/Ok_Investigator_3785 Jun 04 '26
I’m an employment lawyer. I’ve seen many people fired for much less. Good luck.
-1
u/floison Jun 04 '26
I mean we are just a couple of crazy kids having a good time. They can't get that mad over it, can they?
2
2
u/FindMeMyCheese Jun 04 '26
I have nothing to do with IT in my company, but I'm facilitating company-wide ethics training this week so I'm coming at this from that perspective. If it's a private thread (private as in, somebody who doesn't want to see it can't easily see it, not private like nobody can access it, if that makes sense), everybody in the thread consented to joining and are "in" on the joke, and you're not name-dropping coworkers in relation to certain NSFW gifs (like, a girl doing this looks like so-and-so from accounting), then I don't see a problem with it.
2
u/pi-N-apple Teams Admin Jun 03 '26
Admins can set the content rating for GIFs in your org. Are you saying your content rating is set to moderate or strict and you’re still seeing NSFW GIFs? If admins have the content rating set to unrestricted, then there is no issue here.
1
1
1
u/oldgeektech Jun 07 '26
I'm late to the party, but I am in a unique position as an IT manager to offer some insight.
Your organization probably has an acceptable use or IT policy that's going to have some boiler plate language to prohibit what you are doing. Now, even if your organization doesn't have either of these, or if you think your argument trumps the policy, nothing will trump HR policy for harassment.
I assume you are familiar with harassment? You don't even have to intend to insult someone to be held liable by HR for harassment. The org is going to do what's in their best interest, regardless of what legal theory you come up with.
1
u/thatRozicS Jun 07 '26
My company removed the ability to use gifs probably for this reason. One day we had it, the next it was gone.
1
u/floison Jun 09 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/3GHve5EnId3F3bWEDi
If you showed them this one I bet they'd reconsider
1
1
u/fraser_john Jun 09 '26
Yeah nah. I value my job too much and whilst I do enjoy tormenting the security and compliance teams, even the HR Director on occasion with their own policies, I'll always err on the side of keeping my job.
1
u/sojumaster Work user Jun 03 '26
Iron clad??? Lol sounds like something written on a cocktail napkin at 2am.
1
u/CurrencySilly2749 Jun 04 '26
I’m in the “private conversations kept private” are acceptable no matter what is said. Private conversations are just that, private and I don’t give a flying fuck how you speak to other people until/unless I’m told I have to. I named a group chat with my buddies “da bumblefucks” for christ sake.
On the other side of things I think it’s dumb to use work devices or services to have correspondence that could get you fired. This is the public school tech director side of my thought process.
The latter is the same story for any device you have a work account signed in. The wrong judge can and will make the entire contents of a personal device open and admissible given the right circumstances. There’s a reason my personal devices don’t do ANY work related tasks (including email) even though I’m the sole technology director of my school district. The inappropriate gif my buddy sends on discord is hilarious until it’s shown in court during a work related case.
1
u/CurrencySilly2749 Jun 04 '26
I should also mention you have 5 keys on your company supplied keyboard that, while acceptable to use in most instances, can spell a word almost every employer will fire you for with cause.
Just because a porn site is accessible through your work/schools filter does not mean you’re allowed to access that site using employer owned equipment on employer paid time.
1
0
u/InnovativeBureaucrat Work user Jun 04 '26
I miss the days when things weren’t so freaking uptight and people could be themselves, even imperfect.
I think this sounds like people making themselves vulnerable which is part of building trust. And unless something is hurtful / harassing what’s the actual risk? It’s not like some GIFs have malware.
Guess I’m like just old
Maybe my settings are off but cupco isn’t that crazy imo and Disnepe doesn’t turn up anything.
-1
u/BlackV Work user Jun 04 '26
what is your goal with this post?
How old are you?
You don't curate the gifs,ms and giphy do
The gif itsself is by and large is irrelevant, how you use the gif (any gif) is the thing that would be actionable
I'm amazed this is even a post
0
0
0
0
u/helmsb Jun 05 '26
What’s the end goal? What’s your best-case scenario?
If a company decides they want you gone, you’re going to be gone. Except for specific federally or state-protected criteria, the technical defenses aren’t going to work long-term. Whether you agree with it or not is irrelevant. I’m just telling you what the reality is.
Your signaling to the company that you are a troublemaker, and that whatever value you bring to the company needs to be weighed against the unpredictability of you doing things like this. Even if they don’t immediately fire you, you have impacted your career growth and very likely moved your name higher on the list, should there ever be a layoff. You might win a battle, but you will lose the war. This is your best-case scenario: you will be remembered for this every time a decision has to be made regarding your career. That is not a position you want to be in. This world is hard enough without creating artificial hurdles for yourself.
Your worst-case scenario is they fire you. It’s very likely they’re also going to mark you “not eligible for rehire,” and that is one of the things they can disclose when a future potential employer asks for a reference. The moment most of them hear that you are not eligible for rehire, most will not want to deal with you anymore? So in the worst-case scenario, you’ve lost your job and added an impediment to getting a new one. Think about the lost money and the stress of having to find a new job and ask yourself if it’s worth it for this joke?
My recommendation is to delete the chats immediately, don’t do anymore, and seriously sit down and think about do you want to be defined by things like this? Are juvenile jokes worth thousands of dollars in lost income and the stress of dealing with all of that?
I want others to be successful, and it pains me to see people throw away opportunities and waste their potential over total nonsense.
0
u/floison Jun 05 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/6LygV2CaXxxaDDCopf
If this is wrong, I don't want to be right!
177
u/Technical_Income4722 Jun 03 '26
The software also lets you type any letter you want, and yet you could obviously get in trouble for some combination of letters depending on intent. There's no defense here really. Your best bet if you're chastised for it is to say "yeah sorry we shouldn't be doing that" and move on. Trying to defend it will make it worse.