Slack seems to make the procedure for viewing private chats less transparent
Communications service Slack is changing the procedure that allows paid workspace owners to export data from private channels and DMs. This makes this easier and the warning for users also seems to be omitted.
The change in procedure was noted by Gizmodo, among others. Slack reports on a special page, which was recently changed, that owners with a Plus or Enterprise Grid subscription can use a self-service tool to export private data. For chats from public channels, owners with all types of subscriptions can export data. The new procedure differs from the old situation, where exporting data from private channels and DMs was only possible if so-called Compliance Exports were used. They will disappear from April 20.
Under the old system, which is described on an archived page, owners could request this feature from Slack. All users received a notification of this, which they received again when the feature was finally enabled. Owners were also able to export data from private channels in the form of a zip file from the moment of enablement.
The new system works differently. For example, the export function still has to be requested, but it is not mentioned that users will receive a notification, as under the old system. In addition, exports can be scheduled and it is possible to read back chats that already existed before enabling the feature, a Slack spokesperson told Gizmodo. That data must then be saved, which depends on the settings. The change therefore seems to make it less transparent for users when private chats can be exported.
The new feature is also available for free and standard plans, but then the owner must have a “valid court order,” or valid legal process, or user consent. A third possibility is that it is a legal requirement or right under applicable rules.
In its response to Gizmodo, Slack further says that the change is related to the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, in May of this year. It does not explain why this change was necessary. The spokesperson says that users can view the settings of their Slack environment in the Workspace Settings Center.