Google Chat update will help you get rid of incriminating evidence

Google Chat Review
(Image credit: Google)

Google has announced that paid Google Workspace users will soon be able to delete Spaces group chats completely from Google Chat.

According to a new blog post, the search giant is bringing the ability to delete named Spaces in Google Chat to Google Workspace Business Standard and Business Starter editions first though it plans to extend this capability to other versions of its online collaboration tool next year.

Once this new feature rolls out, creators of a Space will be able to fully delete it along with all of the room tasks, files and attachments not saved elsewhere from Google Chat. Once a Space has been deleted, all of its members will no longer be able to access the space, its files or the member list.

Deleting Spaces in Google Chat

In addition to eliminating clutter and making it easier to navigate to frequently used Spaces, the ability to delete a group chat in Google Chat can also be useful for employees concerned that management may be going through their old messages.

In its blog post, Google points out that this feature is not available for Google Workspace editions that come equipped with the company's information governance and eDiscovery tool Google Vault. If a business upgrades from the Business Standard or Business Starter edition of Workspace to one that supports Google Vault, they will lose the ability to delete named Spaces.

While this feature will initially be available to Google Workspace Business Standard, G Suite Basic and Business Starter customers, Google plans to make it available to all editions of its online collaboration tool next year.

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Anthony Spadafora

After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.