Salesforce blocks AI rivals from using Slack data, the Information reports

Salesforce, owner of the popular workplace messaging platform Slack, has recently blocked other software companies from searching or storing Slack messages—even when authorized by their customers—according to a report from The Information published on June 11, 2025[1][2][3].

What Happened?

  • Restricted Access: Salesforce has restricted third-party AI and software providers from accessing or archiving data within Slack channels.
  • Customer Permission Irrelevant: This block remains in place even if the customer organization using Slack permits such access.

Why Is This Significant?

  • Competitive Landscape: The move limits how rival firms—including those offering AI-powered productivity tools—can leverage Slack’s rich conversational data for features like predictive analytics or personalization.
  • Data Control: It strengthens Salesforce’s control over its platform and data, ensuring that AI tools from competitors cannot use Slack data to enhance their own offerings.

Broader Implications

The restriction comes as competition intensifies in the enterprise AI space, with major players like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon rapidly developing integrated AI platforms anchored on proprietary data. Salesforce’s strategy emphasizes keeping customer data within its own ecosystem, potentially giving an edge to its own AI initiatives—such as AI chatbots and analytics tools—while limiting the reach of third-party developers and competitors[4].

What This Means for Businesses

  • Increased Data Privacy: Companies using Slack gain tighter control over their internal communications and prevent unauthorized use of their data by external AI providers.
  • Limited Integration Options: Businesses may find it harder to integrate Slack with other third-party AI and productivity platforms, forcing them to rely more on Salesforce’s own solutions.

This development marks a significant shift in how enterprise communication platforms manage and share data, with potential long-term implications for innovation and competition in the AI-driven business software market.

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