diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index 831371bb7..281aea2a4 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -288,7 +288,9 @@ DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS = (
 
 
 DEFAULT_USER_ROLE = os.getenv("DEFAULT_USER_ROLE", "pending")
-USER_PERMISSIONS = {"chat": {"deletion": True}}
+
+USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION = os.getenv('USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION', 'True') == 'True'
+USER_PERMISSIONS = {"chat": {"deletion": USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION}}
 
 
 MODEL_FILTER_ENABLED = os.environ.get("MODEL_FILTER_ENABLED", False)