Salesforce recently updated their Slack API terms of service, which now prevents third-party applications from indexing, copying, or permanently storing Slack messages via the Slack APIs, according to reports.
This move effectively locks Slack data inside the platform, meaning firms that previously integrated Slack into their services can only retain messages temporarily and must delete any content fetched via API immediately after use. Salesforce framed the change as a proactive measure to strengthen customer data protection in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.
What Impact Does This Have on Companies?
One of the first and most notable companies to be impacted by this terms of service change is Glean, an enterprise AI search platform, as reported by The Information.
Before the change, Glean offered a Slack integration that let users search Slack messages and build knowledge graphs using their organization’s Slack content. But Salesforce’s clampdown means Glean can no longer add Slack messages to its permanent search index or knowledge graph. According to an email sent to Glean customers (as seen by The Information), the company acknowledged the severity of this impact:
Glean have noted that the changes will prevent customers from adding Slack data to their Glean search index or knowledge graph, thereby “hampering your ability to use your data with your chosen enterprise AI platform”.
Inevitably, these changes will hinder the ability to effectively utilize data in Slack – arguably a major blow to Glean’s value proposition. Without long-term indexing, their Slack integration may be viewed as far less useful to customers relying on unified search or knowledge discovery.
A Salesforce spokesperson told Salesforce Ben: “At Salesforce, trust is our number one value, and that starts with protecting customer data. The new innovations we’ve announced, along with updates to Slack’s API Terms of Service, open the door for more intelligent, context-aware AI experiences and ensure that developers, customers, and partners can securely and responsibly interact with Slack data.”
“As AI raises critical considerations around how customer data is handled, we’re committed to delivering AI and data services in a way that’s thoughtful and transparent. We’re working closely with partners and developers who share these values, ensuring customers can adopt these new capabilities with confidence and control.”
Final Thoughts
Preventing competitor companies from using Slack data feels like a competitive move from the CRM giant. As Salesforce looks to scale Agentforce, it seems they’re drawing firmer boundaries around their ecosystem, limiting how much others can extract from their products. In doing so, they’re not only protecting customer data, but also preserving their advantage in the increasingly competitive AI agent race.
It is understood that Glean is the first company to publicly mention the effects of these changes. It will be interesting to see if and how other companies using Slack address this latest development.
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