Archive Preserves References While Closing Staff Mutation

Context

Other audiences can reference retained groups, and the current service exposes archive rather than restore or delete. Retirement’s implications for future sends remain an open planning question.

Decision

Record the implemented archive boundary without deciding that open question. Staff mutations fail after archive, while reads and current evaluation remain available.

Alternatives Considered

Blocking evaluation and supporting restricted previews with restoration are distinct product options. Neither is silently adopted here.

Consequences

The console’s list archive warning disagrees with service evaluation and must be corrected separately. A future sending design cannot infer permission to send merely from present preview availability.