The University is implementing a 90-day retention policy for Microsoft Teams Chat messages starting August 19th, meaning private 1:1 chats, group chats, meeting chats, and chats with yourself will be automatically deleted 90 days after being sent or received. An automatically generated message stating "We've deleted older messages due to your organization's retention policy" will appear at the top of chat windows as older chats are deleted. Channel posts and shared files will not be affected and will remain saved on your OneDrive.The implementation of this retention policy manages information risk to the University, aligns with recommendations from University Records Management, and adheres to Policy 46 - Information Management requirements. Chat messages are not intended to be kept; University records required for longer periods of time should be stored in a Teams or SharePoint site. You can use the UW Teams Message Export Tool to save a copy of your exchanges, but this should be used on a limited and extraordinary basis only, to meet the goal of limiting information risk to the University.
Please e-mail sci@uwaterloo.atlassian.net if you have any questions or concerns.