Google Marketing API, Tavus $18M, Microsoft Patches 60+ Issues
The API Changelog issue 2024.12
This is issue 2024.12 of the API Changelog, a mix of API news, commentary, and opinion. In this issue, you'll get to know the most relevant API-related information from the week of March 11, 2024. Subscribe now, so you never miss an issue of the API Changelog.
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Announcements
After losing access to Twitter's API, Tracy Chou's Block Party shifted to develop Privacy Party, a tool to help users manage privacy settings across platforms. Privacy Party, demonstrated at SXSW, makes adjusting privacy simpler with a browser extension that provides tailored recommendations. See additional coverage on TechCrunch and POCIT.
Google Marketing Platform introduced a new API that enhances administrative control over analytics properties. The update merges organization details into the Admin API for a streamlined management experience.
MikMak, a global eCommerce software firm, revealed upgrades to its platform, introducing headless commerce capabilities and a customizable report builder. These enhancements enable brands to provide seamless customer experiences and gain tailored insights for better marketing decisions. See additional coverage on enterprise times and Yahoo!finance.
Forge API offers developers tools to create battle pass-like quests that reward players and promote long-term engagement. The API now supports distributing digital incentives, targeting gamer profiles, and boasts a growing community of 300,000 verified gamers. See additional coverage on GVS, GamesBeat, and Yahoo!finance.
Meta confirmed CrowdTangle's discontinuation by Aug. 14, 2024, emphasizing a shift to new research tools development. Users retain current access without adding new members; post-deprecation, Meta advises using Meta Business Suite or third-party social listening services. See additional coverage on TR and PeopleDaily.
Microsoft is named a 2024 leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for iPaaS for the sixth consecutive time. Its Azure Integration Services offers flexibility, scalability, and global support tailored for modern business integrations.
Funding
Griffin Bank, having secured a U.K. banking license, is set to offer its technology-driven BaaS platform to fintechs for banking and payment solutions. The company recently raised an additional $24 million, backing its focus on providing embedded financial services to businesses rather than direct consumer banking.
Tavus, a generative AI video firm, raised $18 million and unveiled its Developer Platform in beta, providing API access to its models. The inaugural Replica API features their Phoenix model, enabling text-to-video and digital replica creation.
API-based core banking provider Tuum secured an undisclosed investment from Citi Ventures, raising its total funding to over $49 million. Citi Ventures aims to connect Tuum with Citibank stakeholders for potential commercialization. See additional coverage on Fintech Global.
AI
Deepgram launched Aura, a TTS API designed for creating real-time, conversational voice AI applications. The company complements Aura with its Nova-2 speech-to-text API, offering a full suite for voice AI development. See additional coverage on DirectorClub.News and TechCrunch.
MinIO has enhanced its object storage solution to better support artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The update includes new features and capabilities aimed at enterprise AI workloads.
Covalent integrates with the Gnosis Chain, enhancing data accessibility with its Unified API and GoldRush Kit for developers. The partnership between Gnosis and Covalent aims to boost interoperability and tool accessibility in the Web3 ecosystem.
Reddit is under FTC investigation regarding its data licensing to AI firms, coinciding with its upcoming public offering. The platform's IPO could be valued at $6.5 billion, marking the first major US social media IPO since Pinterest. See additional coverage on PCmag and Yahoo!news.
A team from Ant Group, Red Hat, Snap Inc., and Sichuan University created COULER, enhancing ML workflow management via natural language. COULER automates caching, parallelizes tasks, and tunes hyper-parameters, leading to operational improvements and resource efficiencies in cloud environments.
Fintech
GTreasury, a software provider, enhances its ClearConnect Gateway with new global bank API connections, streamlining real-time treasury for CFOs. The expansion includes integrations with DBS, OCBC, and others, bolstering its existing partnerships and planning further rollouts with banks like Standard Chartered. See additional coverage on Yahoo!finance.
EWG's Lightspeed API revolutionizes transaction processing with secure, near-real-time capabilities for clients. The API, leveraging AWS, aligns with digital banking needs, offering secure integration and compliance features. See additional coverage on Finextra.
Assurity enhances digital competitiveness in insurance with a comprehensive suite of APIs, offering customized, embedded technology for every sale stage. The company offers scalable solutions to meet diverse customer needs, backed by a 130-year history and a commitment to digital and ethical business practices.
Bloxcross is disrupting the payment industry with AI-driven financial infrastructure APIs and global banking partnerships for seamless transactions. Their Adaptive Intelligence Conversion technology offers real-time currency conversion insights, boosting efficiency and profitability in international finance.
Brankas will enable PeekUp Pay to instantly deposit earnings into driver partners' bank accounts using its Disburse API. PeekUp seeks to improve the Philippine transport market, offering better customer experiences with Brankas' real-time payment solutions.
Bit2Me, a top Spanish cryptocurrency exchange, partners with HaasOnline, a leader in crypto trading automation. The partnership introduces advanced bot technology to enhance trading on Bit2Me's platform.
API.AI, an advanced chatbot platform, has incorporated multi-messaging across major services, simplifying the development and deployment of conversational agents. These intelligent chatbots enhance communication, aiding in productivity and customer service, and continuously evolve through machine learning.
Security
Modern language models like GPT-4 and PaLM-2 face novel attacks extracting their final layer despite public secrecy and updated defenses. Researchers highlight the attack's practical threat, stressing the need for adaptable security measures in machine learning systems.
WSO2 has released Identity Server 7.0, featuring enhanced B2B support and financial-grade API security. The new version unifies the UI and codebase across its IAM software, boosting developer productivity.
Salt Security triumphed as a Gold winner at the 2024 Globee Cybersecurity Awards, securing top honors in two categories. The ceremony recognized their pioneering achievements in both Security Software and API Management and Security.
Microsoft has released patches for over 60 security issues, including critical HyperV and Open Management Infrastructure vulnerabilities. Adobe also issued fixes for critical bugs in Premiere Pro, ColdFusion, and others, with no active exploitations reported.
Cequence, recognized in Citizens JMP's Cyber 66, offers comprehensive API security solutions addressing evolving cyber threats. Citizens JMP commends Cequence for its innovation, market potential, and transformative cybersecurity leadership.
StackHawk, specializing in web application and API security testing, won Bronze for Security Software at The Globee® Awards. These awards highlight excellence in fields including risk management and threat detection.
Google Chrome has introduced real-time URL checks in Safe Browsing to better protect against fast-evolving threats, preserving user privacy with encryption. Enhanced protection layers remain advised, with the Safe Browsing API rolling out for developer use and additional security.