Restrict who can view the member lists in Google Chat spaces

Space owners and managers can now control who can view the full list of members in a Google Chat space, providing enhanced privacy and administrative control for sensitive, large-scale, or external collaboration spaces.

Previously, any member of a Google Chat space could view the complete list of participants. We are introducing a new space setting—View members—that allows space owners and managers to restrict member visibility within one of four permission levels:

Owners only
Owners & managers
All members (default)
Entire organization

Similar to membership privacy controls in Google Groups, there are scenarios where limiting member list visibility enhances organization security or privacy:

Customer spaces: Collaborating with multiple external clients, vendors, or partners
Sensitive forums: Allowing users to join communities on sensitive topics without revealing their membership in that community
Confidential projects: Prevent participants in broad project spaces from seeing every internal or external user who has been added to the initiative

Please note that regardless of the member visibility restriction, users will always be able to see the name and profile of anyone who actively sends a message in the space.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Navigate to Space Settings > Membership > View Members permission control, and select the desired visibility level.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) started on August 24, 2026

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Google Help: Manage view members permissions in Google Chat

Space owners and managers can restrict who can view the member list in a Google Chat space by navigating to Space Settings > Membership > View Members and choosing one of four visibility levels. [1]

This privacy feature helps secure customer communication, hidden support forums, or highly sensitive internal projects. Note that this restriction does not hide the total member count, nor does it conceal the profile of anyone who sends a message inside the space. [1, 2]

Available Visibility Levels

Owners only: Only the creator/owner of the space can access the list.
Owners & managers: Access is limited strictly to owners and designated space managers.
All members: Anyone added to the space can view everyone else (this is the default setting).
Entire organization: Anyone in the organization can see the list, even if they aren’t part of the space (only available if the space is set to “discoverable”). [1, 2]

How to Change the Permission Setting

On Desktop (Google Chat or Gmail)

Open Google Chat or your Gmail account.
Click on the desired Space from the left panel.
Click the Space name at the top of the window, then select Space settings from the dropdown menu.
Locate the Membership section and click on View Members.
Select your preferred visibility level and click Save. [1, 2, 3, 4]