Salesforce Tightens Slack’s API Rules, Restricting AI Data Access Salesforce, the parent company of workplace messaging platform Slack, has quietly updated its API terms to block third-party software firms from indexing or storing Slack messages—a move that could significantly impact enterprise AI tools. According to a report from The Information, the changes prevent apps like Glean (a workplace AI search provider) from accessing Slack data for long-term storage or analysis. In a statement to Reuters, Salesforce framed the shift as a data security measure, saying: “As AI raises critical considerations around how customer data is handled, we’re reinforcing safeguards around how data accessed via Slack APIs can be stored, used, and shared.” What Does This Actually Mean? APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allow different software systems to communicate. Until now, companies could use Slack’s API to: Now, those capabilities are restricted. Third-party apps can still access Slack data in real time, but they can’t retain it—meaning AI models can’t learn from past conversations. Glean reportedly warned customers that the change “hampers your ability to use your data with your chosen enterprise AI platform.” Why Is Salesforce Doing This? Officially, the company says it’s about security and responsible AI. But critics argue it’s a strategic lock-in play: Industry Backlash: “This Is Anti-Innovation” The move has sparked frustration across the tech sector, with critics accusing Salesforce of building a walled garden: The Bigger Picture: AI’s Data Wars This isn’t just about Slack—it’s part of a broader battle over AI training data: Salesforce’s move suggests that enterprise AI will increasingly run on proprietary data silos—meaning companies that control the data control the AI. What Happens Next? One thing’s clear: The age of open data for AI is ending—and the age of data feudalism is here. Like Related Posts AI Automated Offers with Marketing Cloud Personalization AI-Powered Offers Elevate the relevance of each customer interaction on your website and app through Einstein Decisions. Driven by a Read more Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more