diff --git a/api4/channel_test.go b/api4/channel_test.go
index c59b76d684..2e4a8beeef 100644
--- a/api4/channel_test.go
+++ b/api4/channel_test.go
@@ -1367,7 +1367,7 @@ func TestConvertChannelToPrivate(t *testing.T) {
 		for {
 			select {
 			case resp := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-				if resp.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_CHANNEL_CONVERTED && resp.Data["channel_id"].(string) == publicChannel2.Id {
+				if resp.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_CHANNEL_CONVERTED && resp.GetData()["channel_id"].(string) == publicChannel2.Id {
 					eventHit = true
 				}
 			case <-stop:
@@ -2426,7 +2426,7 @@ func TestRemoveChannelMember(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 
 		wsr := <-wsClient.EventChannel
-		require.Equal(t, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_HELLO, wsr.Event)
+		require.Equal(t, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_HELLO, wsr.EventType())
 
 		// requirePost listens for websocket events and tries to find the post matching
 		// the expected post's channel and message.
@@ -2435,7 +2435,7 @@ func TestRemoveChannelMember(t *testing.T) {
 			for {
 				select {
 				case event := <-wsClient.EventChannel:
-					postData, ok := event.Data["post"]
+					postData, ok := event.GetData()["post"]
 					if !ok {
 						continue
 					}
diff --git a/api4/plugin_test.go b/api4/plugin_test.go
index 777d918dc8..b9b9baa718 100644
--- a/api4/plugin_test.go
+++ b/api4/plugin_test.go
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ func TestNotifyClusterPluginEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		for {
 			select {
 			case resp := <-webSocketClient.EventChannel:
-				if resp.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PLUGIN_STATUSES_CHANGED && len(resp.Data["plugin_statuses"].([]interface{})) == 0 {
+				if resp.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PLUGIN_STATUSES_CHANGED && len(resp.GetData()["plugin_statuses"].([]interface{})) == 0 {
 					done <- true
 					return
 				}
diff --git a/api4/post_test.go b/api4/post_test.go
index b5df1d0028..a7c213a5e5 100644
--- a/api4/post_test.go
+++ b/api4/post_test.go
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ func TestCreatePostSendOutOfChannelMentions(t *testing.T) {
 	for waiting {
 		select {
 		case event := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-			require.NotEqual(t, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_EPHEMERAL_MESSAGE, event.Event, "should not have ephemeral message event")
+			require.NotEqual(t, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_EPHEMERAL_MESSAGE, event.EventType(), "should not have ephemeral message event")
 		case <-timeout:
 			waiting = false
 		}
@@ -506,12 +506,12 @@ func TestCreatePostSendOutOfChannelMentions(t *testing.T) {
 	for waiting {
 		select {
 		case event := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-			if event.Event != model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_EPHEMERAL_MESSAGE {
+			if event.EventType() != model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_EPHEMERAL_MESSAGE {
 				// Ignore any other events
 				continue
 			}
 
-			wpost := model.PostFromJson(strings.NewReader(event.Data["post"].(string)))
+			wpost := model.PostFromJson(strings.NewReader(event.GetData()["post"].(string)))
 
 			acm, ok := wpost.Props[model.PROPS_ADD_CHANNEL_MEMBER].(map[string]interface{})
 			require.True(t, ok, "should have received ephemeral post with 'add_channel_member' in props")
diff --git a/api4/preference_test.go b/api4/preference_test.go
index 61d2538253..62935d8ec6 100644
--- a/api4/preference_test.go
+++ b/api4/preference_test.go
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ func TestUpdatePreferencesWebsocket(t *testing.T) {
 			Name:     model.NewId(),
 		},
 	}
+
 	_, resp := th.Client.UpdatePreferences(userId, preferences)
 	CheckNoError(t, resp)
 
@@ -268,12 +269,12 @@ func TestUpdatePreferencesWebsocket(t *testing.T) {
 	for waiting {
 		select {
 		case event := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-			if event.Event != model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PREFERENCES_CHANGED {
+			if event.EventType() != model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PREFERENCES_CHANGED {
 				// Ignore any other events
 				continue
 			}
 
-			received, err := model.PreferencesFromJson(strings.NewReader(event.Data["preferences"].(string)))
+			received, err := model.PreferencesFromJson(strings.NewReader(event.GetData()["preferences"].(string)))
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
 			for i, p := range *preferences {
@@ -376,12 +377,12 @@ func TestDeletePreferencesWebsocket(t *testing.T) {
 	for waiting {
 		select {
 		case event := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-			if event.Event != model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PREFERENCES_DELETED {
+			if event.EventType() != model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PREFERENCES_DELETED {
 				// Ignore any other events
 				continue
 			}
 
-			received, err := model.PreferencesFromJson(strings.NewReader(event.Data["preferences"].(string)))
+			received, err := model.PreferencesFromJson(strings.NewReader(event.GetData()["preferences"].(string)))
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
diff --git a/api4/user_test.go b/api4/user_test.go
index d83ccb2794..4a41afaded 100644
--- a/api4/user_test.go
+++ b/api4/user_test.go
@@ -323,11 +323,11 @@ func TestCreateUserWebSocketEvent(t *testing.T) {
 			for {
 				select {
 				case ev := <-userWSClient.EventChannel:
-					if ev.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_NEW_USER {
+					if ev.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_NEW_USER {
 						userHasReceived = true
 					}
 				case ev := <-guestWSClient.EventChannel:
-					if ev.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_NEW_USER {
+					if ev.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_NEW_USER {
 						guestHasReceived = true
 					}
 				case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
@@ -1675,7 +1675,7 @@ func assertExpectedWebsocketEvent(t *testing.T, client *model.WebSocketClient, e
 		select {
 		case resp, ok := <-client.EventChannel:
 			require.Truef(t, ok, "channel closed before receiving expected event %s", model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED)
-			if resp.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED {
+			if resp.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED {
 				test(resp)
 				return
 			}
@@ -1687,7 +1687,7 @@ func assertExpectedWebsocketEvent(t *testing.T, client *model.WebSocketClient, e
 
 func assertWebsocketEventUserUpdatedWithEmail(t *testing.T, client *model.WebSocketClient, email string) {
 	assertExpectedWebsocketEvent(t, client, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED, func(event *model.WebSocketEvent) {
-		eventUser, ok := event.Data["user"].(map[string]interface{})
+		eventUser, ok := event.GetData()["user"].(map[string]interface{})
 		require.True(t, ok, "expected user")
 		userEmail, ok := eventUser["email"].(string)
 		require.Truef(t, ok, "expected email %s, but got nil", email)
diff --git a/api4/websocket_test.go b/api4/websocket_test.go
index c4cf14570f..c9eb1a5688 100644
--- a/api4/websocket_test.go
+++ b/api4/websocket_test.go
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func TestWebSocketEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		for {
 			select {
 			case resp := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-				if resp.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_TYPING && resp.Data["user_id"].(string) == "somerandomid" {
+				if resp.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_TYPING && resp.GetData()["user_id"].(string) == "somerandomid" {
 					eventHit = true
 				}
 			case <-stop:
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func TestWebSocketEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		for {
 			select {
 			case resp := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-				if resp.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_TYPING {
+				if resp.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_TYPING {
 					eventHit = true
 				}
 			case <-stop:
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ func TestCreateDirectChannelWithSocket(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, resp.Status, model.STATUS_OK, "should have responded OK to authentication challenge")
 
 	wsr := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel
-	require.Equal(t, wsr.Event, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_HELLO, "missing hello")
+	require.Equal(t, wsr.EventType(), model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_HELLO, "missing hello")
 
 	stop := make(chan bool)
 	count := 0
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func TestCreateDirectChannelWithSocket(t *testing.T) {
 		for {
 			select {
 			case wsr := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-				if wsr != nil && wsr.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_DIRECT_ADDED {
+				if wsr != nil && wsr.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_DIRECT_ADDED {
 					count = count + 1
 				}
 
@@ -378,8 +378,8 @@ func TestWebSocketStatuses(t *testing.T) {
 		for {
 			select {
 			case resp := <-WebSocketClient.EventChannel:
-				if resp.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_STATUS_CHANGE && resp.Data["user_id"].(string) == th.BasicUser.Id {
-					status := resp.Data["status"].(string)
+				if resp.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_STATUS_CHANGE && resp.GetData()["user_id"].(string) == th.BasicUser.Id {
+					status := resp.GetData()["status"].(string)
 					if status == model.STATUS_ONLINE {
 						onlineHit = true
 					} else if status == model.STATUS_AWAY {
diff --git a/app/plugin_api.go b/app/plugin_api.go
index 4850572fc8..d2219686d6 100644
--- a/app/plugin_api.go
+++ b/app/plugin_api.go
@@ -734,11 +734,9 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) KVList(page, perPage int) ([]string, *model.AppError) {
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) PublishWebSocketEvent(event string, payload map[string]interface{}, broadcast *model.WebsocketBroadcast) {
-	api.app.Publish(&model.WebSocketEvent{
-		Event:     fmt.Sprintf("custom_%v_%v", api.id, event),
-		Data:      payload,
-		Broadcast: broadcast,
-	})
+	ev := model.NewWebSocketEvent(fmt.Sprintf("custom_%v_%v", api.id, event), "", "", "", nil)
+	ev = ev.SetBroadcast(broadcast).SetData(payload)
+	api.app.Publish(ev)
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) HasPermissionTo(userId string, permission *model.Permission) bool {
diff --git a/app/plugin_statuses.go b/app/plugin_statuses.go
index 4efb413e2e..05b37303b2 100644
--- a/app/plugin_statuses.go
+++ b/app/plugin_statuses.go
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func (a *App) notifyPluginStatusesChanged() error {
 	// Notify any system admins.
 	message := model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_PLUGIN_STATUSES_CHANGED, "", "", "", nil)
 	message.Add("plugin_statuses", pluginStatuses)
-	message.Broadcast.ContainsSensitiveData = true
+	message.GetBroadcast().ContainsSensitiveData = true
 	a.Publish(message)
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/app/user.go b/app/user.go
index 3cbc9a3e36..d3c7f46caa 100644
--- a/app/user.go
+++ b/app/user.go
@@ -1112,13 +1112,13 @@ func (a *App) sendUpdatedUserEvent(user model.User) {
 	a.SanitizeProfile(adminCopyOfUser, true)
 	adminMessage := model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED, "", "", "", nil)
 	adminMessage.Add("user", &adminCopyOfUser)
-	adminMessage.Broadcast.ContainsSensitiveData = true
+	adminMessage.GetBroadcast().ContainsSensitiveData = true
 	a.Publish(adminMessage)
 
 	a.SanitizeProfile(&user, false)
 	message := model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED, "", "", "", nil)
 	message.Add("user", &user)
-	message.Broadcast.ContainsSanitizedData = true
+	message.GetBroadcast().ContainsSanitizedData = true
 	a.Publish(message)
 }
 
diff --git a/app/web_conn.go b/app/web_conn.go
index c66d9f4f84..b19905aac2 100644
--- a/app/web_conn.go
+++ b/app/web_conn.go
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func (c *WebConn) writePump() {
 						"websocket.slow: dropping message",
 						mlog.String("user_id", c.UserId),
 						mlog.String("type", msg.EventType()),
-						mlog.String("channel_id", evt.Broadcast.ChannelId),
+						mlog.String("channel_id", evt.GetBroadcast().ChannelId),
 					)
 					skipSend = true
 				}
@@ -194,9 +194,7 @@ func (c *WebConn) writePump() {
 			if !skipSend {
 				var msgBytes []byte
 				if evtOk {
-					cpyEvt := &model.WebSocketEvent{}
-					*cpyEvt = *evt
-					cpyEvt.Sequence = c.Sequence
+					cpyEvt := evt.SetSequence(c.Sequence)
 					msgBytes = []byte(cpyEvt.ToJson())
 					c.Sequence++
 				} else {
@@ -209,7 +207,7 @@ func (c *WebConn) writePump() {
 							"websocket.full",
 							mlog.String("user_id", c.UserId),
 							mlog.String("type", msg.EventType()),
-							mlog.String("channel_id", evt.Broadcast.ChannelId),
+							mlog.String("channel_id", evt.GetBroadcast().ChannelId),
 							mlog.Int("size", len(msg.ToJson())),
 						)
 					} else {
@@ -305,11 +303,11 @@ func (webCon *WebConn) shouldSendEventToGuest(msg *model.WebSocketEvent) bool {
 	var userId string
 	var canSee bool
 
-	switch msg.Event {
+	switch msg.EventType() {
 	case model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_USER_UPDATED:
-		userId = msg.Data["user"].(*model.User).Id
+		userId = msg.GetData()["user"].(*model.User).Id
 	case model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_NEW_USER:
-		userId = msg.Data["user_id"].(string)
+		userId = msg.GetData()["user_id"].(string)
 	default:
 		return true
 	}
@@ -332,7 +330,7 @@ func (webCon *WebConn) ShouldSendEvent(msg *model.WebSocketEvent) bool {
 	// If the event contains sanitized data, only send to users that don't have permission to
 	// see sensitive data. Prevents admin clients from receiving events with bad data
 	var hasReadPrivateDataPermission *bool
-	if msg.Broadcast.ContainsSanitizedData {
+	if msg.GetBroadcast().ContainsSanitizedData {
 		hasReadPrivateDataPermission = model.NewBool(webCon.App.RolesGrantPermission(webCon.GetSession().GetUserRoles(), model.PERMISSION_MANAGE_SYSTEM.Id))
 
 		if *hasReadPrivateDataPermission {
@@ -341,7 +339,7 @@ func (webCon *WebConn) ShouldSendEvent(msg *model.WebSocketEvent) bool {
 	}
 
 	// If the event contains sensitive data, only send to users with permission to see it
-	if msg.Broadcast.ContainsSensitiveData {
+	if msg.GetBroadcast().ContainsSensitiveData {
 		if hasReadPrivateDataPermission == nil {
 			hasReadPrivateDataPermission = model.NewBool(webCon.App.RolesGrantPermission(webCon.GetSession().GetUserRoles(), model.PERMISSION_MANAGE_SYSTEM.Id))
 		}
@@ -352,19 +350,19 @@ func (webCon *WebConn) ShouldSendEvent(msg *model.WebSocketEvent) bool {
 	}
 
 	// If the event is destined to a specific user
-	if len(msg.Broadcast.UserId) > 0 {
-		return webCon.UserId == msg.Broadcast.UserId
+	if len(msg.GetBroadcast().UserId) > 0 {
+		return webCon.UserId == msg.GetBroadcast().UserId
 	}
 
 	// if the user is omitted don't send the message
-	if len(msg.Broadcast.OmitUsers) > 0 {
-		if _, ok := msg.Broadcast.OmitUsers[webCon.UserId]; ok {
+	if len(msg.GetBroadcast().OmitUsers) > 0 {
+		if _, ok := msg.GetBroadcast().OmitUsers[webCon.UserId]; ok {
 			return false
 		}
 	}
 
 	// Only report events to users who are in the channel for the event
-	if len(msg.Broadcast.ChannelId) > 0 {
+	if len(msg.GetBroadcast().ChannelId) > 0 {
 		if model.GetMillis()-webCon.LastAllChannelMembersTime > WEBCONN_MEMBER_CACHE_TIME {
 			webCon.AllChannelMembers = nil
 			webCon.LastAllChannelMembersTime = 0
@@ -380,15 +378,15 @@ func (webCon *WebConn) ShouldSendEvent(msg *model.WebSocketEvent) bool {
 			webCon.LastAllChannelMembersTime = model.GetMillis()
 		}
 
-		if _, ok := webCon.AllChannelMembers[msg.Broadcast.ChannelId]; ok {
+		if _, ok := webCon.AllChannelMembers[msg.GetBroadcast().ChannelId]; ok {
 			return true
 		}
 		return false
 	}
 
 	// Only report events to users who are in the team for the event
-	if len(msg.Broadcast.TeamId) > 0 {
-		return webCon.IsMemberOfTeam(msg.Broadcast.TeamId)
+	if len(msg.GetBroadcast().TeamId) > 0 {
+		return webCon.IsMemberOfTeam(msg.GetBroadcast().TeamId)
 	}
 
 	if webCon.GetSession().Props[model.SESSION_PROP_IS_GUEST] == "true" {
diff --git a/app/web_conn_test.go b/app/web_conn_test.go
index 0ce996941b..fcb036e24f 100644
--- a/app/web_conn_test.go
+++ b/app/web_conn_test.go
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ func TestWebConnShouldSendEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		// needs more cases to get full coverage
 	}
 
-	event := &model.WebSocketEvent{Event: "some_event"}
+	event := model.NewWebSocketEvent("some_event", "", "", "", nil)
 	for _, c := range cases {
-		event.Broadcast = c.Broadcast
+		event = event.SetBroadcast(c.Broadcast)
 		assert.Equal(t, c.User1Expected, basicUserWc.ShouldSendEvent(event), c.Description)
 		assert.Equal(t, c.User2Expected, basicUser2Wc.ShouldSendEvent(event), c.Description)
 		assert.Equal(t, c.AdminExpected, adminUserWc.ShouldSendEvent(event), c.Description)
diff --git a/app/web_hub.go b/app/web_hub.go
index 9dbc2b18c1..204d3ffbc9 100644
--- a/app/web_hub.go
+++ b/app/web_hub.go
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func (a *App) HubUnregister(webConn *WebConn) {
 
 func (a *App) Publish(message *model.WebSocketEvent) {
 	if metrics := a.Metrics; metrics != nil {
-		metrics.IncrementWebsocketEvent(message.Event)
+		metrics.IncrementWebsocketEvent(message.EventType())
 	}
 
 	a.PublishSkipClusterSend(message)
@@ -176,11 +176,11 @@ func (a *App) Publish(message *model.WebSocketEvent) {
 			Data:     message.ToJson(),
 		}
 
-		if message.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POSTED ||
-			message.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POST_EDITED ||
-			message.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_DIRECT_ADDED ||
-			message.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_GROUP_ADDED ||
-			message.Event == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_ADDED_TO_TEAM {
+		if message.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POSTED ||
+			message.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POST_EDITED ||
+			message.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_DIRECT_ADDED ||
+			message.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_GROUP_ADDED ||
+			message.EventType() == model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_ADDED_TO_TEAM {
 			cm.SendType = model.CLUSTER_SEND_RELIABLE
 		}
 
@@ -189,8 +189,8 @@ func (a *App) Publish(message *model.WebSocketEvent) {
 }
 
 func (a *App) PublishSkipClusterSend(message *model.WebSocketEvent) {
-	if message.Broadcast.UserId != "" {
-		hub := a.GetHubForUserId(message.Broadcast.UserId)
+	if message.GetBroadcast().UserId != "" {
+		hub := a.GetHubForUserId(message.GetBroadcast().UserId)
 		if hub != nil {
 			hub.Broadcast(message)
 		}
@@ -485,10 +485,10 @@ func (h *Hub) Start() {
 				}
 			case msg := <-h.broadcast:
 				candidates := connections.All()
-				if msg.Broadcast.UserId != "" {
-					candidates = connections.ForUser(msg.Broadcast.UserId)
+				if msg.GetBroadcast().UserId != "" {
+					candidates = connections.ForUser(msg.GetBroadcast().UserId)
 				}
-				msg.PrecomputeJSON()
+				msg = msg.PrecomputeJSON()
 				for _, webCon := range candidates {
 					if webCon.ShouldSendEvent(msg) {
 						select {
diff --git a/app/web_hub_test.go b/app/web_hub_test.go
index c145cca228..aa5faff1b0 100644
--- a/app/web_hub_test.go
+++ b/app/web_hub_test.go
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func TestHubStopRaceCondition(t *testing.T) {
 		hub.UpdateActivity("userId", "sessionToken", 0)
 
 		for i := 0; i <= BROADCAST_QUEUE_SIZE; i++ {
-			hub.Broadcast(&model.WebSocketEvent{})
+			hub.Broadcast(model.NewWebSocketEvent("", "", "", "", nil))
 		}
 
 		hub.InvalidateUser("userId")
diff --git a/model/websocket_client.go b/model/websocket_client.go
index f31431ec1f..8d9a8330e8 100644
--- a/model/websocket_client.go
+++ b/model/websocket_client.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package model
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"net/http"
 	"time"
@@ -121,9 +122,9 @@ func (wsc *WebSocketClient) Listen() {
 				return
 			}
 
-			var event WebSocketEvent
-			if err := json.Unmarshal(rawMsg, &event); err == nil && event.IsValid() {
-				wsc.EventChannel <- &event
+			event := WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader(rawMsg))
+			if event.IsValid() {
+				wsc.EventChannel <- event
 				continue
 			}
 
diff --git a/model/websocket_message.go b/model/websocket_message.go
index 585280c888..bcf0f62775 100644
--- a/model/websocket_message.go
+++ b/model/websocket_message.go
@@ -76,30 +76,41 @@ type precomputedWebSocketEventJSON struct {
 	Broadcast json.RawMessage
 }
 
-type WebSocketEvent struct {
+// webSocketEventJSON mirrors WebSocketEvent to make some of its unexported fields serializable
+type webSocketEventJSON struct {
 	Event     string                 `json:"event"`
 	Data      map[string]interface{} `json:"data"`
 	Broadcast *WebsocketBroadcast    `json:"broadcast"`
 	Sequence  int64                  `json:"seq"`
+}
 
+// **NOTE**: Direct access to WebSocketEvent fields is deprecated. They will be
+// made unexported in next major version release. Provided getter functions should be used instead.
+type WebSocketEvent struct {
+	Event           string                 // Deprecated: use EventType()
+	Data            map[string]interface{} // Deprecated: use GetData()
+	Broadcast       *WebsocketBroadcast    // Deprecated: use GetBroadcast()
+	Sequence        int64                  // Deprecated: use GetSequence()
 	precomputedJSON *precomputedWebSocketEventJSON
 }
 
 // PrecomputeJSON precomputes and stores the serialized JSON for all fields other than Sequence.
 // This makes ToJson much more efficient when sending the same event to multiple connections.
-func (m *WebSocketEvent) PrecomputeJSON() {
-	event, _ := json.Marshal(m.Event)
-	data, _ := json.Marshal(m.Data)
-	broadcast, _ := json.Marshal(m.Broadcast)
-	m.precomputedJSON = &precomputedWebSocketEventJSON{
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) PrecomputeJSON() *WebSocketEvent {
+	copy := ev.Copy()
+	event, _ := json.Marshal(copy.Event)
+	data, _ := json.Marshal(copy.Data)
+	broadcast, _ := json.Marshal(copy.Broadcast)
+	copy.precomputedJSON = &precomputedWebSocketEventJSON{
 		Event:     json.RawMessage(event),
 		Data:      json.RawMessage(data),
 		Broadcast: json.RawMessage(broadcast),
 	}
+	return copy
 }
 
-func (m *WebSocketEvent) Add(key string, value interface{}) {
-	m.Data[key] = value
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) Add(key string, value interface{}) {
+	ev.Data[key] = value
 }
 
 func NewWebSocketEvent(event, teamId, channelId, userId string, omitUsers map[string]bool) *WebSocketEvent {
@@ -107,26 +118,85 @@ func NewWebSocketEvent(event, teamId, channelId, userId string, omitUsers map[st
 		Broadcast: &WebsocketBroadcast{TeamId: teamId, ChannelId: channelId, UserId: userId, OmitUsers: omitUsers}}
 }
 
-func (o *WebSocketEvent) IsValid() bool {
-	return o.Event != ""
-}
-
-func (o *WebSocketEvent) EventType() string {
-	return o.Event
-}
-
-func (o *WebSocketEvent) ToJson() string {
-	if o.precomputedJSON != nil {
-		return fmt.Sprintf(`{"event": %s, "data": %s, "broadcast": %s, "seq": %d}`, o.precomputedJSON.Event, o.precomputedJSON.Data, o.precomputedJSON.Broadcast, o.Sequence)
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) Copy() *WebSocketEvent {
+	copy := &WebSocketEvent{
+		Event:           ev.Event,
+		Data:            ev.Data,
+		Broadcast:       ev.Broadcast,
+		Sequence:        ev.Sequence,
+		precomputedJSON: ev.precomputedJSON,
 	}
-	b, _ := json.Marshal(o)
+	return copy
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) GetData() map[string]interface{} {
+	return ev.Data
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) GetBroadcast() *WebsocketBroadcast {
+	return ev.Broadcast
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) GetSequence() int64 {
+	return ev.Sequence
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) SetEvent(event string) *WebSocketEvent {
+	copy := ev.Copy()
+	copy.Event = event
+	return copy
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) SetData(data map[string]interface{}) *WebSocketEvent {
+	copy := ev.Copy()
+	copy.Data = data
+	return copy
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) SetBroadcast(broadcast *WebsocketBroadcast) *WebSocketEvent {
+	copy := ev.Copy()
+	copy.Broadcast = broadcast
+	return copy
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) SetSequence(seq int64) *WebSocketEvent {
+	copy := ev.Copy()
+	copy.Sequence = seq
+	return copy
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) IsValid() bool {
+	return ev.Event != ""
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) EventType() string {
+	return ev.Event
+}
+
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) ToJson() string {
+	if ev.precomputedJSON != nil {
+		return fmt.Sprintf(`{"event": %s, "data": %s, "broadcast": %s, "seq": %d}`, ev.precomputedJSON.Event, ev.precomputedJSON.Data, ev.precomputedJSON.Broadcast, ev.Sequence)
+	}
+	b, _ := json.Marshal(webSocketEventJSON{
+		ev.Event,
+		ev.Data,
+		ev.Broadcast,
+		ev.Sequence,
+	})
 	return string(b)
 }
 
 func WebSocketEventFromJson(data io.Reader) *WebSocketEvent {
-	var o *WebSocketEvent
-	json.NewDecoder(data).Decode(&o)
-	return o
+	var ev WebSocketEvent
+	var o webSocketEventJSON
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(data).Decode(&o); err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	ev.Event = o.Event
+	ev.Data = o.Data
+	ev.Broadcast = o.Broadcast
+	ev.Sequence = o.Sequence
+	return &ev
 }
 
 type WebSocketResponse struct {
diff --git a/model/websocket_message_test.go b/model/websocket_message_test.go
index 76d5811a9e..da17736f0f 100644
--- a/model/websocket_message_test.go
+++ b/model/websocket_message_test.go
@@ -17,14 +17,68 @@ func TestWebSocketEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	json := m.ToJson()
 	result := WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader(json))
 
-	badresult := WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader("junk"))
-	require.Nil(t, badresult, "should not have parsed")
-
 	require.True(t, m.IsValid(), "should be valid")
+	require.Equal(t, m.GetBroadcast().TeamId, result.GetBroadcast().TeamId, "Ids do not match")
+	require.Equal(t, m.GetData()["RootId"], result.GetData()["RootId"], "Ids do not match")
+}
 
-	require.Equal(t, m.Broadcast.TeamId, result.Broadcast.TeamId, "Ids do not match")
+func TestWebSocketEventImmutable(t *testing.T) {
+	m := NewWebSocketEvent("some_event", NewId(), NewId(), NewId(), nil)
 
-	require.Equal(t, m.Data["RootId"], result.Data["RootId"], "Ids do not match")
+	new := m.SetEvent("new_event")
+	if new == m {
+		require.Fail(t, "pointers should not be the same")
+	}
+	require.NotEqual(t, m.Event, new.Event)
+	require.Equal(t, new.Event, "new_event")
+	require.Equal(t, new.Event, new.EventType())
+
+	new = m.SetSequence(45)
+	if new == m {
+		require.Fail(t, "pointers should not be the same")
+	}
+	require.NotEqual(t, m.Sequence, new.Sequence)
+	require.Equal(t, new.Sequence, int64(45))
+	require.Equal(t, new.Sequence, new.GetSequence())
+
+	broadcast := &WebsocketBroadcast{}
+	new = m.SetBroadcast(broadcast)
+	if new == m {
+		require.Fail(t, "pointers should not be the same")
+	}
+	require.NotEqual(t, m.Broadcast, new.Broadcast)
+	require.Equal(t, new.Broadcast, broadcast)
+	require.Equal(t, new.Broadcast, new.GetBroadcast())
+
+	data := map[string]interface{}{
+		"key":  "val",
+		"key2": "val2",
+	}
+	new = m.SetData(data)
+	if new == m {
+		require.Fail(t, "pointers should not be the same")
+	}
+	require.NotEqual(t, m, new)
+	require.Equal(t, new.Data, data)
+	require.Equal(t, new.Data, new.GetData())
+
+	copy := m.Copy()
+	if copy == m {
+		require.Fail(t, "pointers should not be the same")
+	}
+	require.Equal(t, m, copy)
+}
+
+func TestWebSocketEventFromJson(t *testing.T) {
+	ev := WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader("junk"))
+	require.Nil(t, ev, "should not have parsed")
+	data := `{"event": "test", "data": {"key": "val"}, "seq": 45, "broadcast": {"user_id": "userid"}}`
+	ev = WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader(data))
+	require.NotNil(t, ev, "should have parsed")
+	require.Equal(t, ev.Event, "test")
+	require.Equal(t, ev.Sequence, int64(45))
+	require.Equal(t, ev.Data, map[string]interface{}{"key": "val"})
+	require.Equal(t, ev.Broadcast, &WebsocketBroadcast{UserId: "userid"})
 }
 
 func TestWebSocketResponse(t *testing.T) {
@@ -46,7 +100,7 @@ func TestWebSocketResponse(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestWebSocketEvent_PrecomputeJSON(t *testing.T) {
 	event := NewWebSocketEvent(WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POSTED, "foo", "bar", "baz", nil)
-	event.Sequence = 7
+	event = event.SetSequence(7)
 
 	before := event.ToJson()
 	event.PrecomputeJSON()
@@ -60,7 +114,7 @@ var stringSink string
 func BenchmarkWebSocketEvent_ToJson(b *testing.B) {
 	event := NewWebSocketEvent(WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POSTED, "foo", "bar", "baz", nil)
 	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
-		event.Data[NewId()] = NewId()
+		event.GetData()[NewId()] = NewId()
 	}
 
 	b.Run("SerializedNTimes", func(b *testing.B) {