Though Slack is known as a popular tool for office communication, the company faces backlash over the app’s lack of privacy measures. Now, a consortium of organizations is calling for Slack to introduce encrypted messaging to the platform.
The call for Slack to introduce end-to-end encryption (E2EE)
More than 90 organizations have signed a petition asking for end-to-end encryption. As TechRadar reports, privacy lobbyists are descending on Slack headquarters today to raise awareness of the lack of privacy on the platform.
Backed by Mozilla and Tor, the request details the breadth of users calling for greater privacy measures on the app.
“We are businesses, organizations, communities, and individuals who depend on tools like Slack to connect online. We are activists organizing for change; journalists who communicate with sources and about sensitive stories; nonprofits providing care and support for our communities; companies that need to streamline our processes and share ideas; students, creators, gamers, alumni, artists, athletes, and other communities that use the Internet to connect with people all over the world.”
In the petition, the group cites requests as far back as 2015 for Slack to introduce end-to-end encryption. Additionally, they argue that the company is known to favor profits over privacy.
Encrypted messaging and privacy
The group is raising concerns about the lack of encrypted messaging on the platform. The group cites that this may lead to hackers and law enforcement getting unauthorized access to users’ DMs.
The consortium is also calling attention to the lack of blocking and reporting tools on the app, which are necessary security measures against abuse.
With encrypted messaging and security being priorities for users, TechRadar notes that many users opt to use platforms such as WhatsApp or Signal. Both apps are known to prioritize privacy, with Facebook Messenger committing to encryption as well.
Overall, as the petition notes, “safety should be a built-in feature of all technology.”