Salesforce has tightened control over Slack data access by blocking rival AI software firms from searching or storing Slack messages, according to a report by The Information on Tuesday. This change follows updates Salesforce made to its terms of service, detailed in a public statement issued on May 29.
A Salesforce spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to responsible AI and data management, noting the firm’s efforts to implement thoughtful and transparent safeguards around how data accessed through Slack’s APIs can be stored, used, and shared.
The updated policy restricts third-party apps like Glean from long-term indexing, copying, or storing Slack data obtained via the Slack API. Glean notified its customers that this will limit their ability to integrate Slack data into their AI-powered search and knowledge platforms, potentially reducing users’ flexibility in leveraging their enterprise data.
The move reflects growing scrutiny around how AI companies handle personal and customer data used to train AI models, as businesses aim to balance innovation with privacy and security concerns.
Salesforce, Glean, and other affected parties did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.