Forum Discussion
Stop access to Docs.com
If you don't like the idea of users being able to publish documents publically to Docs.com with their work or school credentials, there are some new controls available. If you're new to Docs.com, this is what it offers (here is my Docs.com account by the way as an example):
"Docs.com is an online platform where you can publish and discover Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Sway, and PDF documents, among others. With Docs.com, you can create an online portfolio of your expertise, discover, download, or bookmark works from other authors, and build your brand with built-in SEO, analytics, and email and social sharing."
With these admin controls, you can enable or disable access to Docs.com in your organization, for governance reasons etc. Full instructions are here, it involves using either Azure Admin portal or Windows PowerShell commands.
With this set, users will get this message instead when accessing Docs.com (Your users can still view existing published content but not be able to modify it):
As a side note, new builds of Office 2016 allow publishing to Docs.com directly, which can also be controlled.
Instructions are here and involve a Group Policy Setting.
Final update, Docs.com controls has hit the Admin Center and was highlighted in a recent post in the message center 'Updated feature: Docs.com manageable in Office 365 Admin Center'.
Set in Services & add-ins from Admin Center (off by default)
Here is the corresponding article - Manage Docs.com use in your organization.
An update, these instructions changed at some point, now this feature is off by default, which is sensible:
"We have recently enhanced the service to better ensure your organization's security and privacy. As a result, we are requiring Office 365 Tenant Administrators to “opt-in” for their organization before users with organizational accounts can use the service."
Also new to the roadmap - Docs.com Admin Controls, is in development:
"Docs.com is now manageable from the Office 365 Admin Center and meets Category A requirements of the Office 365 Compliance Framework. To enable the use of Docs.com, visit the Services and Add-ins page of the Office 365 Admin Center. No actions are needed if you wish to prohibit users from signing in with their work or school accounts."
