Selling Employee Messages: Can You Sell Slack Chats and Emails?
Workplace messages are usually company records, but they were written by real people. Here's how to handle that honestly.
Messages sent on company systems are usually company records, so a business can generally license them. But they were written by identifiable people who didn't expect them to be sold, and privacy advocates have called the concerns substantial. Remove identifying details before anything moves, exclude personal and sensitive content, check what your policies told employees, and get legal advice.
Who owns employee messages?
Messages in company Slack, Teams or email are generally business records the company controls, especially where policies say workplace systems are for business use. That's the starting point, not the end of the question. Local privacy and employment law, your handbook and any works council agreements all matter.
Why people object
A former CEO told Fast Company she sold her startup's Slack messages, internal emails and Jira tickets for hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the same story, Marc Rotenberg of the Center for AI and Digital Policy called the privacy issues quite substantial, because the data is about identifiable people. Even anonymized messages can identify long-tenured employees through context.
How to handle it fairly
- Anonymize before transfer. Names, emails, phone numbers and other identifiers removed by a specialist, to a documented standard.
- Exclude personal channels. Direct messages about health, family or HR matters shouldn't be in scope.
- Exclude HR and legal. Performance reviews, disciplinary threads and privileged legal conversations stay out.
- Check your policies. What did your handbook and acceptable use policy say about workplace communications?
- Consider telling people. Some companies tell current and former staff before licensing. It's often the right call even where it isn't required.
What buyers do
Reputable buyers anonymize before data reaches AI developers and exclude regulated or sensitive content. Ask any buyer who does the anonymization, what standard they use, and whether you can see an anonymized sample before delivery.
Private channels and DMs
Some platforms restrict exports of private channels and DMs. On Slack, Business+ needs the Primary Owner to apply and be approved. See the Slack export guide.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Talk to your attorney and CPA before you sign anything.
Common questions
Can my company sell my Slack messages?
Messages on company systems are usually company records, so it may be allowed. Identifying details should be removed first, and local law and company policy apply.
Are DMs included in a data sale?
Sometimes. Many sellers exclude DMs or limit them to work topics. Ask what's in scope.
Is anonymized Slack data really anonymous?
Not always. Context can still point to a person. That's why good buyers use specialists and review samples.
Should I tell employees?
It's worth discussing with your attorney. Many companies choose to, even where it isn't required.