Microsoft Teams has unveiled a new feature called “offline meetings,” which will enable users to have secret, off-the-record meetings for occasions when additional privacy is required. While the firm has not divulged many specifics about the feature, it noted that users may plan an offline meeting in the same way as a regular one but with the essential addition of turning off the “online” toggle when scheduling calendar events for personal appointments, lunch break slots, and more.
Furthermore, offline meetings will not have a chat thread or any other Microsoft Teams “online meeting artifacts,” allowing them to remain a secret among those on the call only. The feature is now available to Microsoft Teams users on desktop and Mac.
The move is intriguing, as hiding meetings with no trace does not appear to instil confidence in a company’s workforce. However, the new feature may also be used for more formal settings, such as discussing a workplace concern with a line manager or catching up before an important presentation or call.
The launch follows Microsoft Teams’ recent announcement that users can specify their working location for the day, indicating that bosses, colleagues, and anyone else connected on the platform will be aware of their whereabouts and availability. Overall, this may be part of Microsoft’s strategy to make Teams more accessible to users around the world, no matter how they choose to use it.
