Google Chat: restricting messages from unsafe strangers

What’s changing

Google Chat secure domains allow you to limit external chat to only users in domains you trust. Previously, you could only choose to allow Google Chat to outsiders or not. You can now choose to limit external chats to people in trusted domains for your entire organization, or set different policies for different organizational units.

Who’s impacted

Admins 

Why it’s important 

Trusted Domains for Chat give admins more granular control over external chat within their organization. This can help the right users communicate with the stakeholders they need to work with, and help prevent inappropriate or unwanted external conversations.

Additional details

Trusted domains only allow communication with domain-managed accounts in those domains. Email-verified consumer accounts will not be trusted.

Getting started

• Admins: Admin can enable trusted domains from chat admin settings page. Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Chat and Classic Hangouts. 
• End users: There are no end-user settings for this feature.

Release time 

• Rapid and scheduled release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility starting Aug. 18)

Availability

• Available to Google Workspace customers Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline and Nonprofits as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers

Source: Gimasys