Instructions to Enable Google Chat History

Google Chat is the supported Instant Messaging (IM) client for faculty, staff, and students. Every user with an active NetID/email has the choice to opt-in to enable the chat history setting in Google Chat, including Chat Rooms (Spaces). If chat history is enabled by one or more parties in a chat or chat room, the history will be stored.

When electing to enable chat history, please note each individual is agreeing that any information in the saved chat history is owned by Oakland University and is in scope for e-preservation including, but not limited to, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests. When Google Chat history is enabled chat messages are retained in a similar fashion to email. Users understand and agree that this information is being recorded, retained, and accessible per e-discovery requests using the Google Chat functionality.

The default behavior is that chat history will delete after 24 hours, and Google’s eDiscovery tools can't hold, retain, or search direct messages that are sent with history turned off. With chat history enabled, as described below, messages for the Google Chat or Google Spaces will be retained.

Chat or Gmail

  1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.
  2. Select a conversation.
  3. At the top, next to the contact or conversation name, click the Down arrow or More options .
  4. Select Turn on history or Turn off history.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7x38hGLwBBfePvLpcX7qDHEkPXGN8M8ADlyb1NArIR5h5CcWS4357q6BScTNN5ivxaZauKk1FO-IhD73mOJ7EffC8ng8UYdRyrhh9rQfDD38MNPjaMJQ2bY7XfUykh2CnFgiRPqK

Additional information can be found at Turn history on or off in Google Chat.

April, 2022