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Slack Starts Locking Accounts in Russia Without Warning

The move is to comply with sanctions and leaves many companies without access to their data.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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Slack users across Russia are waking up today to find they no longer have access to their accounts and data.

As Axios reports, the account locks are being performed without any warning as Slack complies with international sanctions. Slack's parent company, Salesforce, began its exit from Russia last week, meaning Russian organizations should have seen this move coming if they use the team messaging app.

Those that didn't have now lost access to their internal communications through the platform, but also any data that was stored within the Slack ecosystem. A statement from Slack explained, "Slack is required to take action to comply with sanctions regulations in the U.S. and other countries where we operate, including in some circumstances suspending accounts without prior notice, as mandated by law."

With regards to ongoing support in the country, Slack said, "We are in contact with affected customers regarding the impact of these actions on their account status, where permitted by law." No accounts or data is being deleted, but access to it will remain blocked until sanctions are lifted and Salesforce updates it policies with regards to operating in Russia. That could be months or even years from now.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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