People figured out how to send abusive language through Slack invites

Source: Ara Wagoner / Windows Central

Slack, the popular communication platform, recently gained the option to send direct messages (DMs) to anyone using the service. The feature is called Slack Connect DMs, and it is meant to help people work with partners or clients that are part of another company. The feature is available now for paid Slack customers and will roll out to free users in the future.

While the feature lets you message anyone across Slack, there are some limitations. First, IT departments have to allow the feature. Second, people have to accept an invite to start messaging through Slack.

These protections are in place to make sure that only those that want to chat with someone have to see messages. You, theoretically, shouldn’t be able to be spammed with messages. You can, however, get harassed by message requests, at least according to Twitter user Menotti Minutillo.

According to Minutillo, if you send someone an invite to the message, the other person will see the contents of your invitation. That message can contain anything you’d like, including abusive language. As far as we can tell, you can’t block these types of emails because they come from a generic Slack email address.

Hopefully, Slack plugs this hole in the system soon. The ability to connect with anyone across Slack could be extremely useful, but it’s important that it works well.