Can individual chat be disabled for certain users but not channels?

Product Support

AI-generated summary

In a support discussion titled “Can individual chat be disabled for certain users but not channels?”, stephtara asks whether it’s possible to restrict direct messaging (DM) between users while still allowing participation in group chat channels. Moin explains that the setting “Chat allowed groups” grants general access to the chat plugin — including channels — while “Direct message enabled groups” controls who can initiate DMs (1:1 or group). Users in “Chat allowed” but not “Direct message enabled” can still reply to DMs and participate in channels, but cannot start new DM conversations. stephtara clarifies their understanding, confirming that chat channels (based on categories) are distinct from group DMs, and that personal messages (topic-based) are governed by separate permissions. Moin confirms this and recommends testing with a dummy account to verify behavior. stephtara expresses surprise at the distinction between “channels” and “group DMs”, acknowledging the complexity but appreciating the clarity. The settings are independent except for category-based permissions that apply to both chat channels and topic-based messages. Testing is advised to ensure desired behavior.

1

I saw there is a pile of settings related to chat. Is there a way from preventing users from DMing each other while still retaining group channels?

2

There is Chat allowed groups which you can use to allow users to use chat in general so they can use channels. To disable DM chats, just remove the groups from Direct message enabled groups. Then, members cannot create DM conversations. I think they should still be able to reply if they are messaged, so you can still create group channels with a few members if you need to.

3

Just to make sure I have got it absolutely right:

  • chat allowed groups: this is for channels? what else does it do?
  • direct message enabled groups: this if for direct “instant messaging”?

So if a group is in “chat allowed” but not in “direct message enabled” they can participate in channels, chat with a moderator who would initiate a chat with them, but not initiate an instant messaging conversation with somebody else?

And those settings are completely independent from “personal messages/topics”, permissions for which are set with other settings?

Asking because the description is kind of unclear in my interface:

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4

I think you got it right. I’d still create a test user to ensure everything works as expected.

I would describe “chat allowed groups” as the general setting. You cannot use anything of the chat plugin without being allowed to use chat.
Chat channels are based on categories, so you control access to them with the category security settings. That’s why there is no separate setting for them.
Being able to create DM chats (1:1 or group) is controlled by the direct message enabled groups setting.

All chat settings are independent from the settings about personal messages (those which are like topics, have a title, and appear in your inbox).
The only overlap are the permissions for chat channels and topics. Those are both based on the category’s settings.

5

oooh wait, so a “channel” and a “group DM” isn’t the same thing? :face_with_peeking_eye::exploding_head: (OK I’m getting it now, but my poor head… so many ways to interact!)

Thanks for the explanation, and yeah I’ll have to run some tests!