Google Workspace Updates: Controls for restricting conversation creation in Google Chat available to more organizations (original) (raw)
November 4, 2025
What’s changing
We are expanding an existing Google Chat feature, previously only available for Education customers, to more Workspace customers.
This feature gives administrators the ability to limit who can create new conversations in Google Chat. When this setting is applied to users (through an organizational unit or a Google Group), those users will be prevented from initiating new conversations, or adding new members to existing conversations.
Users with this restriction can continue to converse in conversations they are already a member of.
Why it’s important
Similar to how this feature is used for students, it allows organizations to enable Chat for a segment of employees such that they can receive important messages and contribute to existing conversations, while limiting their ability to create new, unmanaged conversations. This helps provide a safer and easier way for organizations to communicate.
Getting started
- Admins: This feature will be OFF by default. It can be enabled for specific users by placing them in an Organizational Unit (OU) or a Google Group and applying the setting in the Admin console.
- End users: There is no end-user setting for this feature. If this policy is applied to your account by your administrator, you will not be able to start new conversations or create spaces, but you can still reply to conversations you are added to.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 3, 2025
Availability
- Business Plus
- Enterprise Standard and Plus
- Business Continuity and Continuity Plus
- Frontline Plus and Frontline Standard
Resources
- Google Workspace Admin Help: Set up Chat restrictions
- Google Help: Create, send & reply to messages in Google Chat