Transparency
Gov. Ferguson's own 6-month deadline to decide on Microsoft Teams auto-deletion policy passed more than a year ago with no public decision
Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesWashington · Sep 22, 2026
Subject of this story
Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington
Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families
What happened
After a $225,000 settlement with the Department of Children, Youth and Families over destruction of public records under a policy that auto-deleted Microsoft Teams messages after seven days, Gov. Ferguson announced on February 17, 2025 that he was suspending the auto-deletion feature statewide for a 'thorough 6-month evaluation.' That review was due by roughly August 17, 2025. As of September 2026 — more than a year past the deadline — Ferguson's office has not announced a permanent policy or a public accounting of the review's findings; a spokesperson has told reporters only 'No update yet, will let you know when there's more.'
Sources (3)
The Seattle TimesByline: Shauna Sowersby, The Seattle Times. 'I am directing WaTech to suspend Teams' automatic deletion feature for the agencies it supports until my team has completed a thorough 6-month evaluation.' $225,000 settlement signed in January 2025 with DCYF.
The Center SquareThe six-month clock was supposed to run out in August 2025, but it is now summer 2026. Ferguson's spokesperson Brionna Aho: 'No update yet, will let you know when there's more.'
Washington Coalition for Open Government (WashCOG)State review of chat deletions policy has taken place — quietly, tracking the lapsed review timeline.
Response
Bob Ferguson
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.