diff --git a/test/api/v3/integration/chat/POST-groups_id_chat_id_clear_flags.test.js b/test/api/v3/integration/chat/POST-groups_id_chat_id_clear_flags.test.js
index 87cad5d6f0..615a296b85 100644
--- a/test/api/v3/integration/chat/POST-groups_id_chat_id_clear_flags.test.js
+++ b/test/api/v3/integration/chat/POST-groups_id_chat_id_clear_flags.test.js
@@ -54,6 +54,25 @@ describe('POST /groups/:id/chat/:id/clearflags', () => {
       expect(messages[0].flagCount).to.eql(0);
       expect(messages[0].flags).to.have.property(admin._id, true);
     });
+
+    it('clears flags in a private group', async () => {
+      let { group, members } = await createAndPopulateGroup({
+        groupDetails: {
+          type: 'party',
+          privacy: 'private',
+        },
+        members: 1,
+      });
+
+      let privateMessage = await members[0].post(`/groups/${group._id}/chat`, { message: 'Some message' });
+      privateMessage = privateMessage.message;
+
+      await admin.post(`/groups/${group._id}/chat/${privateMessage.id}/flag`);
+      await admin.post(`/groups/${group._id}/chat/${privateMessage.id}/clearflags`);
+
+      let messages = await members[0].get(`/groups/${group._id}/chat`);
+      expect(messages[0].flagCount).to.eql(0);
+    });
   });
 
   context('admin user, group with multiple messages', () => {
diff --git a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js
index d1179b0ee2..ea74d4238e 100644
--- a/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js
+++ b/website/server/controllers/api-v3/chat.js
@@ -270,16 +270,20 @@ api.flagChat = {
 };
 
 /**
- * @api {post} /api/v3/groups/:groupId/chat/:chatId/clearflags Clear a group chat message's flags
- * @apiDescription Admin-only
- * @apiVersion 3.0.0
+ * @api {post} /api/v3/groups/:groupId/chat/:chatId/clearflags Clear flags
+ * @apiDescription Resets the flag count on a chat message. Retains the id of the user's that have flagged the message. (Only visible to moderators)
+ * @apiPermission Moderators
  * @apiName ClearFlags
  * @apiGroup Chat
  *
- * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group _id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
+ * @apiParam {UUID} groupId The group id ('party' for the user party and 'habitrpg' for tavern are accepted)
  * @apiParam {UUID} chatId The chat message id
  *
  * @apiSuccess {Object} data An empty object
+ *
+ * @apiError MustBeAdmin Must be a moderator to use this route
+ * @apiError GroupNotFound Group could not be found or you don't have access
+ * @apiError ChatNotFound Chat message with specified id could not be found
  */
 api.clearChatFlags = {
   method: 'Post',
@@ -300,7 +304,11 @@ api.clearChatFlags = {
       throw new NotAuthorized(res.t('messageGroupChatAdminClearFlagCount'));
     }
 
-    let group = await Group.getGroup({user, groupId});
+    let group = await Group.getGroup({
+      user,
+      groupId,
+      optionalMembership: user.contributor.admin,
+    });
     if (!group) throw new NotFound(res.t('groupNotFound'));
 
     let message = _.find(group.chat, {id: chatId});