- Groups are now globally configurable under Admin > Plans & Platform > Group Availability.

When disabled:

Group navigation and channel selector are hidden.
Group API operations are blocked.
Active sessions update automatically.
Existing groups and messages remain preserved.
Static and browser tests passed with no console errors.

README.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ CyberChat is a framework-free PHP, SQLite, JavaScript, and HTML5 chat applicatio
 - Stripe Checkout, Billing Portal, webhook synchronization, and cancellation
 - Configurable plans, prices, Stripe Price IDs, limits, and feature assignments
 - Subscription display switch that hides new sales while preserving billing management for existing customers
-- Private groups with plan-based member limits, including the owner
+- Globally configurable private groups with plan-based member limits, including the owner
 - Premium-configurable recording presence for both sending and viewing
 - Premium-configurable automatic voice sending
 - Tier-configurable automatic playback of newly received voice clips
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ Each tier can independently configure its price, currency, billing interval, Str
 
 Administrators can assign a tier directly from **Admin > Users > Edit > Tier Override**. The override grants that tier's features without changing Stripe billing data and remains in effect until it is changed back to **Follow Stripe / billing status**.
 
+Private groups can be enabled or disabled globally under **Admin > Plans & Platform > Group Availability**. Disabling groups hides their navigation and channels and blocks group API access without deleting existing groups or messages.
+
 ## Mailgun
 
 Configure these fields under **Admin > Plans & Platform**: