Admins can now disable or limit file sharing for their users in Chat. Specifically, admins
will be able to specify controls within and outside their organization, and will be able to choose between restricting all files, allowing images only, or allowing all files.
Who’s impacted
Admins and end users
Why it’s important
Files often contain confidential information, and some organizations, particularly in regulated industries, need to control the flow of this information within and outside of their organization. With this launch, admins now have more ability to help manage sharing in specific scenarios.
Additional details
These policies will have no impact on links. For example, sharing links to Google Drive files or giphy links will all continue to work. Emojis will also not be impacted.
Getting started
- Admins: This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled at the domain our OU level. Use our Help Center to learn more about how to control file sharing in Chat.
- End Users: If an admin has disabled file sharing, the upload button may be disabled or changed, and when possible we will provide text to explain the change. See images below for examples.
The file upload button may be disabled
If a user is only able to upload images, the file upload icon may change to an image icon.
Error messages will be displayed if a user attempts a restricted action
Policies will be also applied while using Google Chat on web and mobile platforms
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: [Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)
Availability
- Available to Google Workspace Business Plus, Enterprise Standard,Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials
- Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers
Resources