I have searched for all existing open AND closed issues and discussions for similar requests. I have found none that is comparable to my request.
Verify Feature Scope
I have read through and understood the scope definition for feature requests in the Issues section. I believe my feature request meets the definition and belongs in the Issues section instead of the Discussions.
Problem Description
Public channels show a users button on the top right, which leaks all the users information and if they are online or not.
Desired Solution you'd like
Environment variable to disable this feature, or remove the button indefinitely with public channels
Originally created by @suleimanelkhoury on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/23547
### Check Existing Issues
- [x] I have searched for all existing **open AND closed** issues and discussions for similar requests. I have found none that is comparable to my request.
### Verify Feature Scope
- [x] I have read through and understood the scope definition for feature requests in the Issues section. I believe my feature request meets the definition and belongs in the Issues section instead of the Discussions.
### Problem Description
Public channels show a users button on the top right, which leaks all the users information and if they are online or not.
### Desired Solution you'd like
Environment variable to disable this feature, or remove the button indefinitely with public channels
I have searched for all existing open AND closed issues and
discussions for similar requests. I have found none that is comparable to
my request.
Verify Feature Scope
I have read through and understood the scope definition for feature
requests in the Issues section. I believe my feature request meets the
definition and belongs in the Issues section instead of the Discussions.
Problem Description
Public channels show a users button on the top right, which leaks all the
users information and if they are online or not.
Desired Solution you'd like
Environment variable to disable this feature, or remove the button
indefinitely with public channels
Alternatives Considered
No response
Additional Context
In case of an implementation inside an insititut or company, this is
definitely against the data protection rules.
<!-- gh-comment-id:4215045235 -->
@trevorhayes6561-maker commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
Thank you for raising this issue regarding public channel user visibility.
On Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 10:29 AM Suleiman Elkhoury ***@***.***>
wrote:
> *suleimanelkhoury* created an issue (open-webui/open-webui#23547)
> <https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/23547>
> Check Existing Issues
>
> - I have searched for all existing *open AND closed* issues and
> discussions for similar requests. I have found none that is comparable to
> my request.
>
> Verify Feature Scope
>
> - I have read through and understood the scope definition for feature
> requests in the Issues section. I believe my feature request meets the
> definition and belongs in the Issues section instead of the Discussions.
>
> Problem Description
>
> Public channels show a users button on the top right, which leaks all the
> users information and if they are online or not.
> Desired Solution you'd like
>
> Environment variable to disable this feature, or remove the button
> indefinitely with public channels
> Alternatives Considered
>
> *No response*
> Additional Context
>
> In case of an implementation inside an insititut or company, this is
> definitely against the data protection rules.
>
> —
> Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub
> <https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/23547>, or unsubscribe
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Though I am not sure why this is .. "against data protection rules".
Because I am very sure it's not against GDPR - and if you use any other messanger or email app like Teams, Outlook, Slack, ... you also see all your people's online statuses there.
<!-- gh-comment-id:4215195225 -->
@Classic298 commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
Sounds like a case for an env var.
Though I am not sure why this is .. "against data protection rules".
Because I am **very sure** it's not against GDPR - and if you use any other messanger or email app like Teams, Outlook, Slack, ... you also see all your people's online statuses there.
@suleimanelkhoury commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
@Classic298 This kinda makes since, though a messenger or email app has different user/privacy policy as an ai UI. I'll change the description
<!-- gh-comment-id:4215483525 -->
@suleimanelkhoury commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
@Classic298 This kinda makes since, though a messenger or email app has different user/privacy policy as an ai UI. I'll change the description
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Originally created by @suleimanelkhoury on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/23547
Check Existing Issues
Verify Feature Scope
Problem Description
Public channels show a users button on the top right, which leaks all the users information and if they are online or not.
Desired Solution you'd like
Environment variable to disable this feature, or remove the button indefinitely with public channels
@trevorhayes6561-maker commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
Thank you for raising this issue regarding public channel user visibility.
On Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 10:29 AM Suleiman Elkhoury @.***>
wrote:
@Classic298 commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
Sounds like a case for an env var.
Though I am not sure why this is .. "against data protection rules".
Because I am very sure it's not against GDPR - and if you use any other messanger or email app like Teams, Outlook, Slack, ... you also see all your people's online statuses there.
@suleimanelkhoury commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2026):
@Classic298 This kinda makes since, though a messenger or email app has different user/privacy policy as an ai UI. I'll change the description