Require Background Blur (Teams Premium)

Originally posted by Microsoft Oct 3, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments

We are introducing granular controls to the existing Organizational Defined Background capability which is part of Teams Premium now. With the granular controls, admins will be able to show only custom backgrounds, require background blur, or preset an organizational background.

Organizational defined backgrounds – provides catalog of org backgrounds for user to choose from

• Show only custom backgrounds (launched July 2023) – when configured, users will only have the option to apply a custom background.
• Require background blur (ETA October) – when enabled, if a user does not have a background image applied their video background will be blurred.
• Preset organizational background (ETA end of November) – when enabled, a user will have a preset background defined by IT without the ability to change the background.

Go to Teams Admin Center > Meeting Policies > Customization Policies > Meeting backgrounds to enabled ‘Apply background blur when no effect is selected.’ 

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 163967

When this will happen:

Standard Release: We will begin rolling out early October and expect to complete by late October.

How this will affect your organization:

This will provide admins who have Teams Premium licensed users in their org with additional background controls.

Message ID: MC678851