Workplace (software)
Online collaborative software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Workplace is an online collaborative software tool developed by Meta Platforms. Its features include instant messaging, file sharing, and video and audio conferencing. On 14 May 2024, Meta announced plans to sunset Workplace by May 2026.
| Workplace | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Developer | Meta Platforms |
| Type | Collaborative software |
| Website | workplace |
History
Workplace was first announced on January 14, 2015.[1] It launched in beta as Facebook at Work before officially launching in October 2016.[2][better source needed] Free accounts were discontinued as of February 2021.[citation needed]
Workplace for Good was launched in June 2018 to provide a free version of Workplace for registered non-profits and staff of educational institutions.[3]
In October 2018, Workplace announced the launch of Safety Check.[4] Originally developed by Facebook engineers after the 2011 Japanese tsunami,[citation needed] Safety Check for Workplace allows organizations to identify employees who may be affected by a crisis and send and monitor responses. Safety Check has been used by Delta Air Lines (during Hurricane Florence and the Hokkaido earthquake).[5]
As of May 2021, there were 7 million paying users.[6]
In May 2024, Meta announced Workplace shutdown in 2026, encouraging users and system administrators to migrate to Zoom-owned Workvivo or download their data.[7][8] On September 1, 2025, Workplace website entered read-only mode and the Workplace mobile app and the Workchat desktop app stopped working.[9] Meta plans to discontinue data export on May 31, 2026.
Functions
While Workplace accounts are set up and run separately[10] from Facebook accounts, Workplace uses much of Facebook's underlying technology. Workplace uses machine learning to rank information in a user's news feed and make recommendations, while 'downranking' less relevant information.[11] Workplace data is stored across 12 Facebook-owned and operated data centers.[12]
Reception
PC Mag described it as "Facebook if your employer restricted membership to only your coworkers and bosses" and concluded "Workplace is what an organization makes of it".[13]