Step into the world of Slack—the go-to platform for work chatter that companies around the globe swear by. But here’s the lowdown: this service might be keeping an eye on you. Yep, we’re talking about Slack tracking. Ever wondered if your moves, online time, and even your whereabouts are on Slack’s radar?
Well, in this little journey, we’re diving deep. We’ll spill the beans on what exactly Slack keeps tabs on—your activity, how you spend time on Slack (hello, Slack time tracking), the scoop on tracking employees, the whole vibe of Slack workspaces, what your messages are up to, and how your IP address fits into the mix. And of course, let’s not forget the broader world of online activity.
But hey, it’s not just about spilling secrets. We’re also here to show you the ropes on dialing up your privacy game within the Slack universe. Want to reclaim some control over your digital turf? Buckle up as we unveil the deets that usually stay in the shadows. It’s time to take charge and dive into the nitty-gritty of Slack tracking.
Ready to roll? Let’s do this!
Evolution of Slack
In 2011, Tiny Speck, an indie game studio, faced a setback with Glitch, an MMO that didn’t take off. However, during its development, the team created an instant messenger for efficient online communication.
Seeing the potential, co-founder Stewart Butterfield shifted focus in 2012. It abandoned Glitch for what would become Slack.
The Beta testing began with a few organizations, where Slack was envisioned as a comprehensive solution to scattered communication. Instead of juggling meetings, email threads, and phone calls, everything could seamlessly happen within one application.
According to Slack, it reduces emails by 32% and meetings by 27%.
After a year of testing, Slack launched publicly in February 2014. Its success was instantaneous. With media organizations being early adopters and providing positive reviews, word of mouth fueled the app’s popularity. As of 2023, the platform boasts an impressive 10+ million daily active users.
Did you know?
Users spend about 9 hours logged in Slack on weekdays.
How bosses actually use Slack to track workday
Your boss might already have a pretty good idea of how your workday unfolds, and it doesn’t involve any fancy spy tools. Everyday apps like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Office can spill the beans on various aspects of your digital activities.
Slack can reveal how many video meetings you actively join and how much you chat with your co-workers online. That’s not all, it also reveals the number of documents you save to the cloud. So, while using these tools makes work more accessible, it’s essential to be aware that your digital footprint is leaving clues about your day-to-day work life.
Does Slack track online activity?
Curious if Slack keeps tabs on your every move? The answer is a definite “Yes.” Just like many other online services, Slack gathers intel about your online activity. The primary motive is to enhance your user experience.
Even when you stay logged in the app, you are being watched, thanks to settings, language preferences and internet cookies. These cookies aren’t just there for the seamless experience. They double as trackers, shining a light on user behavior. Sometimes, this tracking may go beyond improving services and venture into profiling territory.
For business owners and entrepreneurs stepping into the digital world, it’s crucial to know what info you’re sharing. Whether it’s about Slack tracking, managing Slack time tracking, overseeing employees, setting up your Slack workspace, or keeping an eye on your IP address in the vast online world. Knowing the basics is key – and Slack is no exception.
Read more: What Can Someone Do with Your IP Address?
Slack’s data collection practices
Slack’s way of doing business stands apart from the data-heavy models of Google and Facebook. Unlike them, Slack doesn’t rely on ads but instead makes money by selling premium subscriptions.
Now, don’t be fooled—Slack still collects data, and you can find all the details in its privacy policy. The data it gathers falls into two categories: stuff you willingly give (like names, emails, and messages) and stuff automatically generated as you use Slack.
When it comes to tracking, Slack keeps tabs on:
- Account and customer data (name, email, phone number).
- When and how you use its platform.
- Device and operating system.
- IP address.
- Webpage you visited before hopping on Slack.
- Kinds of files you share.
- Browser type and its settings, configurations, and plugins.
- Third-party services like Google Drive or Calendar.
While the collection of this data by Slack may contribute to a more personalized service that is aligned with your company. It’s crucial to be mindful that excessive sharing of personal information can pose a security risk.
Does Slack track your location?
As mentioned earlier, Slack does track data that helps it estimate where you are. Usually, it pinpoints a business address provided by your employer and grabs your IP address from your browser. Additionally, a workspace owner can check team members’ access logs, which include their IP addresses.
According to Slack, logging users’ locations is all about making localization smoother and improving the user experience. However, it’s worth noting that this location information can fall into the wrong hands. It would allow hackers to potentially use your IP address for malicious attacks or disrupt your device. So, it’s a delicate balance between convenience and privacy in the world of Slack.
Preventing Slack tracking with PureVPN
If you’re looking to keep Slack from tracking your online activity, there’s no foolproof method. But you can certainly throw it off the trail by concealing your IP address. One effective way to do this is by using a virtual private network (VPN).
By connecting to a premium VPN service such as PureVPN, your online traffic takes a detour through a remote server located anywhere globally. This process replaces your actual IP address with that of the remote server. As a result, your virtual location is hidden from Slack and other online third parties. Moreover, PureVPN enhances security by encrypting data in transit between your device and the server, ensuring it stays private from prying eyes.
Read more: Slack isn’t secure without a VPN
Bottom line
At the core of the issue lies the fact that your organization holds the reins when it comes to monitoring Slack. In simple terms, your boss can read your Slack messages following Slack’s rules and guidelines. It could happen anytime, with or without giving you a heads up, depending on the situation. So, it’s smart to stick to work topics on Slack and avoid gossip.
Don’t type what you wouldn’t want others to see!
Remember, for more exciting updates and useful tips, don’t forget to follow PureVPN on its social channels and check out the PureVPN Blog page.
FAQs – Slack tracking your online activities
Can administrators see private messages sent on Slack?
Nope, your boss and admins can’t snoop on your private chats. They can’t even check the messages and files you have shared in the private channels using any special admin tools.
Can managers see Slack messages?
Although your boss can’t read your private messages as you send them, they can download and export them into zip files (JSON type of files). Before 2018, this was only possible for public channels.
How do I access the whole chat history on Slack?
Simply, open the Slack workspace where you want to access the chat history. Click on the top left corner and choose “Settings & administration.” Now click “Workspace settings,” and then “Retention & Exports” – you can view the whole chat history.
How can I see who is reading my Slack messages?
Nope, Slack doesn’t use read receipts so, it can’t tell if someone has read the message or not. But Slack shows if you’ve read messages, though, which helps keep track of what you’ve read and what you haven’t.
