How to prevent meeting participants from using the Microsoft Teams chat

What should you modify in the Microsoft Teams admin center to prevent meeting participants from using the Microsoft Teams chat feature to chat during a meeting? To prevent meeting participants from using the Microsoft Teams chat feature during a meeting, you can adjust the meeting options in the Microsoft Teams admin center. Specifically, you need to modify the "Meeting policies" to control the chat settings for participants. Here's how you can go about it:

1. Access the Microsoft Teams Admin Center: Start by logging into the Microsoft Teams Admin Center with your admin credentials. This is where you can manage and configure settings for your Teams environment.
2. Navigate to Meeting Policies: In the Admin Center, locate the "Meeting policies" section. This is where you can define policies that govern various aspects of meetings, including chat settings.
3. Modify the Meeting Policy: Select the meeting policy that applies to the meetings where you want to restrict chat usage. You can either edit an existing policy or create a new one specifically for this purpose.
4. Adjust Chat Settings: Within the selected meeting policy, look for the options related to chat settings. You should find options to enable or disable chat for participants during meetings. Choose the option that disables chat for participants.
5. Apply and Save Changes: After making the necessary adjustments to the chat settings in the meeting policy, save the changes. Ensure that the modified policy is applied to the relevant meetings or participants.
6. Communicate Changes: It's important to communicate the changes to meeting participants beforehand. Let them know that the chat feature will be disabled during certain meetings and provide alternative communication channels if needed.

By following these steps and configuring the meeting policies accordingly, you can prevent meeting participants from using the Microsoft Teams chat feature during meetings. However, keep in mind that the availability and granularity of these settings may vary depending on your organization's Teams configuration and policies.

Additionally, consider the impact of disabling chat on meeting collaboration and communication. In some cases, it may be beneficial to selectively disable chat for specific segments of a meeting while allowing interaction in others to strike a balance between focus and collaboration. Adjust the settings based on your organization's needs and meeting objectives.