How Slack Collects, Uses, and Protects Your Data
Overall Score
Risk by Category
Slack's Privacy Policy details the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information by Slack Technologies LLC and its affiliates ("Slack"). It covers data from user accounts, workspace content (messages, files), support interactions, and technical usage data. Information is used to provide services, improve products, ensure security, and comply with laws. Data is shared with affiliates, service providers, third parties in business transfers, and for legal reasons. Users have rights to access, correct, delete data (subject to legal holds), and export data, varying by region (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Retention occurs as needed for services, legal obligations, or anonymized analytics. Security includes encryption, access controls, and certifications like SOC 2. International transfers use Standard Contractual Clauses.
Slack collects all messages, files, and communications within workspaces, which may include sensitive business info.
Anonymized data retained indefinitely for research and analytics.
Data shared with affiliates, vendors, and potentially in mergers without additional consent.
Supports access, portability, deletion, and objection rights, especially under GDPR/CCPA.
Encryption at rest/transit, regular audits, SOC 2 Type II compliance.
Notifies users of material changes with advance notice.
Spotify collects the following categories of personal data. High Risk categories are used for advertising profiling or involve sensitive personal information.
Messages, files, channels, reactions, and all communications in workspaces.
Name, email, phone, payment info, profile details.
IP address, device info, logs, cookies, location (if enabled).
Your data serves the following purposes. Mandatory purposes cannot be disabled without canceling the service. Opt-out available purposes allow some user control.
Uses data to operate Slack, send messages, host files, and provide features.
Analyzes usage for AI training (opt-out available), analytics, and enhancements.
Monitors for abuse, fraud, and legal compliance.
Spotify shares data with several categories of third parties. Sharing with advertising partners is extensive and represents the primary commercial use of your behavioral data.
Shares with hosts (AWS), analytics (Amplitude), support tools.
Within Salesforce (parent) family for operations.
Disclosed in mergers, acquisitions, asset sales.
To authorities, litigants with legal process.
The following rights may be available to you depending on your region. EU/EEA users have the broadest protections under GDPR. Non-EU users have more limited guarantees.
Users can access, export workspace data via tools or requests.
Delete account/workspace data, but retains copies for legal/safety reasons up to 90 days post-deletion.
Right to object to processing, correct inaccuracies via settings or support.
Data is retained for different periods depending on category, and security disclosures vary in depth. The policy highlights the following retention and transparency points.
Retention Periods
Retained as long as account/workspace exists.
Most data deleted within 90 days, except legal holds.
Retained indefinitely for aggregated insights.
Retained for duration required by tax/law (e.g., 7+ years).
Security & Transparency
Public key encryption for messages at rest; TLS 1.2+ for transit.
Notifies affected users and regulators per law.
SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, ISO 27001, Privacy Shield (historical).
Enterprise-grade authentication, audit logs.
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We collect Workspace Content, which includes messages you send, channels you use, files you upload, your profile information, and other materials you make available to us, your Workspace admin, and other users in your Workspace.
Interpretation
High risk due to capturing all user-generated content, potentially including confidential business data without granular opt-outs.
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Slack also may share your information with Slack affiliates and third-party service providers... to monitor and analyze the use of the Slack Service...
Interpretation
Moderate risk; necessary for operations but broad category of vendors with minimal detail on controls.
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Slack retains your information for as long as necessary to provide the Slack Service... or as otherwise required by law.
Interpretation
Moderate risk; vague 'as necessary' allows long retention, though deletion processes exist.
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Slack provides a number of ways for you to control your information... you may export your Workspace data... deactivate your account.
Interpretation
Low risk; empowers users with practical controls and regional law compliance.
Source Text
Slack continually works to improve the security of its Service using commercially reasonable technical, managerial, and physical security measures.
Interpretation
Moderate risk; standard language, backed by certifications but no specifics on incidents.
Slack collects account details, workspace messages/files, usage logs, device info, and support data to provide services.