check before: 2024-10-01
Product:
Teams
Platform:
Android, iOS, Mac, Online, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message
Links:

Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Teams is introducing a block user feature allowing admins to prevent malicious users from contacting the organization again. This feature, associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138, will roll out in mid-January 2025 and be completed by late January 2025. Admins need to turn on this feature and configure the block list in external access settings.
Details:
Updated November 20, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2025 (previously early December) and expect to complete by late January 2025 (previously mid-December).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2024-09-13
updated:
2024-11-21
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
User Communication Disruption
If the block user feature is implemented without proper preparation, legitimate users may be inadvertently blocked, leading to communication breakdowns and frustration among team members.
- roles: Admins, End Users
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=411138
Increased Support Tickets
The sudden implementation of the block user feature may lead to an influx of support tickets from users who are confused about the new functionality or who find themselves blocked unexpectedly.
- roles: Support Staff, Admins
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=411138
Training and Adoption Challenges
Without adequate training on the new block user feature, users may struggle to understand how to manage their contacts, leading to decreased productivity and user satisfaction.
- roles: Admins, End Users
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=411138
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Security Protocols
Implementing the block user feature can significantly enhance organizational security by preventing malicious users from contacting employees. This will reduce the risk of phishing attacks and other malicious communications.
- next-steps: Review current security policies and integrate the block user feature into existing protocols. Train IT staff on how to effectively manage the block list and monitor its usage.
- roles: IT Security Administrators, Compliance Officers, System Administrators
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=411138
Improved User Experience
By blocking unwanted or malicious contacts, employees can have a cleaner and safer communication environment, which can enhance productivity and focus on legitimate collaborations.
- next-steps: Gather feedback from users on their communication experiences and identify potential contacts that may need to be blocked. Implement the block user feature and communicate its benefits to all employees.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders, HR Managers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=411138
Streamlined Administrative Tasks
The ability to manage a block list can reduce the administrative burden on IT teams by automating the process of filtering out malicious users, allowing for more efficient resource allocation.
- next-steps: Develop a process for regularly reviewing and updating the block list. Consider integrating this feature into existing IT management tools for better oversight.
- roles: IT Administrators, Help Desk Staff, Operations Managers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=411138
Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
Date | Property | old | new |
2024-11-21 | MC Last Updated | 10/10/2024 01:34:54 | 2024-11-20T23:48:44Z |
2024-11-21 | MC Messages | Updated October 9, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early December 2024 (previously early November) and expect to complete by mid-December 2024 (previously mid-November). | Updated November 20, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2025 (previously early December) and expect to complete by late January 2025 (previously mid-December). |
2024-11-21 | MC End Time | 01/27/2025 09:00:00 | 2025-03-03T09:00:00Z |
2024-11-21 | MC Summary | Microsoft Teams is introducing a block user feature allowing admins to prevent malicious users from contacting the organization again. This feature, associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138, will roll out in early December 2024 and be completed by mid-December 2024. Admins need to turn on this feature and configure the block list in external access settings. | Microsoft Teams is introducing a block user feature allowing admins to prevent malicious users from contacting the organization again. This feature, associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138, will roll out in mid-January 2025 and be completed by late January 2025. Admins need to turn on this feature and configure the block list in external access settings. |
2024-10-10 | MC Last Updated | 09/14/2024 00:29:39 | 2024-10-10T01:34:54Z |
2024-10-10 | MC Messages | Updated September 13, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early November 2024 (previously late October) and expect to complete by mid-November 2024 (previously early November). | Updated October 9, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early December 2024 (previously early November) and expect to complete by mid-December 2024 (previously mid-November). |
2024-10-10 | MC Summary | Microsoft Teams is introducing a block user feature to prevent malicious users from contacting an organization again. This feature, associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138, will be available worldwide in early November 2024. Admins can block users, preventing 1:1 and group chats with them. It's off by default and can be enabled in external access settings. | Microsoft Teams is introducing a block user feature allowing admins to prevent malicious users from contacting the organization again. This feature, associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138, will roll out in early December 2024 and be completed by mid-December 2024. Admins need to turn on this feature and configure the block list in external access settings. |
2024-10-10 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, Admin impact |
2024-10-10 | MC End Time | 12/28/2024 09:00:00 | 2025-01-27T09:00:00Z |
2024-09-14 | MC Messages | The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late October 2024 and expect to complete by early November 2024. | Updated September 13, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The availability of the delete API (removeallaccessforuser API) does not stop a malicious user from resending a Microsoft Teams message to the same victim. To help prevent that, a block user feature will allow the admin to block the malicious user from reaching out again. To make this possible, we will use a similar feature as the allow/block list in federation identity credentials to block the malicious user from the entire organization. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early November 2024 (previously late October) and expect to complete by mid-November 2024 (previously early November). |
2024-09-14 | MC Title | Microsoft Teams: Block a user for your organization | (Updated) Microsoft Teams: Block a user for your organization |
2024-09-14 | MC Last Updated | 09/13/2024 01:12:05 | 2024-09-14T00:29:39Z |
2024-09-14 | MC Summary | Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138 introduces a block user feature for Teams, allowing admins to prevent malicious users from contacting the organization. Rolling out from late October to early November 2024, it requires admins to enable the feature and add users to the block list. | Microsoft Teams is introducing a block user feature to prevent malicious users from contacting an organization again. This feature, associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 411138, will be available worldwide in early November 2024. Admins can block users, preventing 1:1 and group chats with them. It's off by default and can be enabled in external access settings. |
Last updated 1 week ago