What does it mean for a channel to be "private" in Slack?

A private channel in Slack is characterized by the requirement of invitations for access. This means that only invited members can join and see the content shared within the channel. This restriction is essential for maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that sensitive discussions remain within a limited group of participants.

In private channels, the information shared is not visible to non-members, which helps prevent unauthorized access to potentially sensitive data. This is particularly valuable for teams or projects that necessitate a heightened level of privacy and discretion.

Other responses reflect misunderstandings about the nature of private channels. The scenario where anyone can access the channel freely would pertain to public channels, where there are no restrictions on membership. The idea that channels are automatically deleted after use doesn't apply to Slack's private channels, as channels remain intact unless deleted by a user with sufficient privileges. Finally, having no members in a private channel contradicts the very definition of a channel, which requires at least one member to exist.