diff --git a/api4/plugin_test.go b/api4/plugin_test.go
index ccdceb0487..88bda8512d 100644
--- a/api4/plugin_test.go
+++ b/api4/plugin_test.go
@@ -304,11 +304,13 @@ func TestNotifyClusterPluginEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	expectedPluginData := model.PluginEventData{
 		Id: manifest.Id,
 	}
+
+	buf, _ := json.Marshal(expectedPluginData)
 	expectedInstallMessage := &model.ClusterMessage{
 		Event:            model.ClusterEventInstallPlugin,
 		SendType:         model.ClusterSendReliable,
 		WaitForAllToSend: true,
-		Data:             expectedPluginData.ToJson(),
+		Data:             buf,
 	}
 	actualMessages := findClusterMessages(model.ClusterEventInstallPlugin, messages)
 	require.Equal(t, []*model.ClusterMessage{expectedInstallMessage}, actualMessages)
@@ -354,7 +356,7 @@ func TestNotifyClusterPluginEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		Event:            model.ClusterEventRemovePlugin,
 		SendType:         model.ClusterSendReliable,
 		WaitForAllToSend: true,
-		Data:             expectedPluginData.ToJson(),
+		Data:             buf,
 	}
 	actualMessages = findClusterMessages(model.ClusterEventRemovePlugin, messages)
 	require.Equal(t, []*model.ClusterMessage{expectedRemoveMessage}, actualMessages)
diff --git a/app/busy.go b/app/busy.go
index 7a07cc7be1..98b22024e8 100644
--- a/app/busy.go
+++ b/app/busy.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package app
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
@@ -109,11 +110,12 @@ func (b *Busy) notifyServerBusyChange(sbs *model.ServerBusyState) {
 	if b.cluster == nil {
 		return
 	}
+	buf, _ := json.Marshal(sbs)
 	msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 		Event:            model.ClusterEventBusyStateChanged,
 		SendType:         model.ClusterSendReliable,
 		WaitForAllToSend: true,
-		Data:             sbs.ToJson(),
+		Data:             buf,
 	}
 	b.cluster.SendClusterMessage(msg)
 }
diff --git a/app/busy_test.go b/app/busy_test.go
index ce257eccc4..99be6ea4d1 100644
--- a/app/busy_test.go
+++ b/app/busy_test.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 package app
 
 import (
-	"strings"
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ type ClusterMock struct {
 }
 
 func (c *ClusterMock) SendClusterMessage(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	sbs := model.ServerBusyStateFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data))
+	sbs := model.ServerBusyStateFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data))
 	c.Busy.ClusterEventChanged(sbs)
 }
 
diff --git a/app/cluster_handlers.go b/app/cluster_handlers.go
index a8a33c0e11..01be8af6a3 100644
--- a/app/cluster_handlers.go
+++ b/app/cluster_handlers.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 package app
 
 import (
-	"strings"
+	"bytes"
 
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/plugin"
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 func (s *Server) clusterInstallPluginHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.installPluginFromData(model.PluginEventDataFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data)))
+	s.installPluginFromData(model.PluginEventDataFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data)))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterRemovePluginHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.removePluginFromData(model.PluginEventDataFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data)))
+	s.removePluginFromData(model.PluginEventDataFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data)))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterPluginEventHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func (s *Server) clusterPluginEventHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
 
 	hooks.OnPluginClusterEvent(&plugin.Context{}, model.PluginClusterEvent{
 		Id:   eventID,
-		Data: []byte(msg.Data),
+		Data: msg.Data,
 	})
 }
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func (s *Server) registerClusterHandlers() {
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterPublishHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	event := model.WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data))
+	event := model.WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data))
 	if event == nil {
 		return
 	}
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func (s *Server) clusterPublishHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterUpdateStatusHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	status := model.StatusFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data))
+	status := model.StatusFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data))
 	s.statusCache.Set(status.UserId, status)
 }
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ func (s *Server) clusterInvalidateAllCachesHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterInvalidateCacheForChannelMembersNotifyPropHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.invalidateCacheForChannelMembersNotifyPropsSkipClusterSend(msg.Data)
+	s.invalidateCacheForChannelMembersNotifyPropsSkipClusterSend(string(msg.Data))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterInvalidateCacheForChannelByNameHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
@@ -94,11 +94,11 @@ func (s *Server) clusterInvalidateCacheForChannelByNameHandler(msg *model.Cluste
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterInvalidateCacheForUserHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.invalidateCacheForUserSkipClusterSend(msg.Data)
+	s.invalidateCacheForUserSkipClusterSend(string(msg.Data))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterInvalidateCacheForUserTeamsHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.invalidateWebConnSessionCacheForUser(msg.Data)
+	s.invalidateWebConnSessionCacheForUser(string(msg.Data))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clearSessionCacheForUserSkipClusterSend(userID string) {
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (s *Server) clearSessionCacheForAllUsersSkipClusterSend() {
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterClearSessionCacheForUserHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.clearSessionCacheForUserSkipClusterSend(msg.Data)
+	s.clearSessionCacheForUserSkipClusterSend(string(msg.Data))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterClearSessionCacheForAllUsersHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ func (s *Server) clusterClearSessionCacheForAllUsersHandler(msg *model.ClusterMe
 }
 
 func (s *Server) clusterBusyStateChgHandler(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	s.serverBusyStateChanged(model.ServerBusyStateFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data)))
+	s.serverBusyStateChanged(model.ServerBusyStateFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data)))
 }
 
 func (s *Server) invalidateCacheForChannelMembersNotifyPropsSkipClusterSend(channelID string) {
diff --git a/app/plugin_api.go b/app/plugin_api.go
index ec5e9ac963..f543486d74 100644
--- a/app/plugin_api.go
+++ b/app/plugin_api.go
@@ -1139,7 +1139,7 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) PublishPluginClusterEvent(ev model.PluginClusterEvent,
 			"PluginID": api.id,
 			"EventID":  ev.Id,
 		},
-		Data: string(ev.Data),
+		Data: ev.Data,
 	}
 
 	// If TargetId is empty we broadcast to all other cluster nodes.
diff --git a/app/plugin_api_tests/manual.test_http_upgrade_websocket_plugin/main.go b/app/plugin_api_tests/manual.test_http_upgrade_websocket_plugin/main.go
index b34581a668..60cb3850b9 100644
--- a/app/plugin_api_tests/manual.test_http_upgrade_websocket_plugin/main.go
+++ b/app/plugin_api_tests/manual.test_http_upgrade_websocket_plugin/main.go
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func (p *Plugin) ServeHTTP(_ *plugin.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Req
 		}
 		req := model.WebSocketRequestFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg))
 		resp := model.NewWebSocketResponse("OK", req.Seq, map[string]interface{}{"action": req.Action, "value": req.Data["value"]})
-		if err = ws.WriteMessage(mt, []byte(resp.ToJson())); err != nil {
+		if err = ws.WriteMessage(mt, resp.ToJson()); err != nil {
 			break
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/app/plugin_event.go b/app/plugin_event.go
index f134401214..251edfa63d 100644
--- a/app/plugin_event.go
+++ b/app/plugin_event.go
@@ -4,16 +4,19 @@
 package app
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 )
 
 func (s *Server) notifyClusterPluginEvent(event model.ClusterEvent, data model.PluginEventData) {
+	buf, _ := json.Marshal(data)
 	if s.Cluster != nil {
 		s.Cluster.SendClusterMessage(&model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:            event,
 			SendType:         model.ClusterSendReliable,
 			WaitForAllToSend: true,
-			Data:             data.ToJson(),
+			Data:             buf,
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/app/slashcommands/command_share_test.go b/app/slashcommands/command_share_test.go
index cd01fce0cc..c64d29e1df 100644
--- a/app/slashcommands/command_share_test.go
+++ b/app/slashcommands/command_share_test.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 package slashcommands
 
 import (
-	"strings"
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestShareProviderDoCommand(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Equal(t, "##### "+args.T("api.command_share.channel_shared"), response.Text)
 
 		channelConvertedMessages := testCluster.SelectMessages(func(msg *model.ClusterMessage) bool {
-			event := model.WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data))
+			event := model.WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data))
 			return event != nil && event.EventType() == model.WebsocketEventChannelConverted
 		})
 		assert.Len(t, channelConvertedMessages, 1)
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestShareProviderDoCommand(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Equal(t, "##### "+args.T("api.command_share.shared_channel_unavailable"), response.Text)
 
 		channelConvertedMessages := testCluster.SelectMessages(func(msg *model.ClusterMessage) bool {
-			event := model.WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader(msg.Data))
+			event := model.WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader(msg.Data))
 			return event != nil && event.EventType() == model.WebsocketEventChannelConverted
 		})
 		require.Len(t, channelConvertedMessages, 1)
diff --git a/app/status.go b/app/status.go
index f3a0b5c78d..860be8b170 100644
--- a/app/status.go
+++ b/app/status.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func (a *App) AddStatusCache(status *model.Status) {
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    model.ClusterEventUpdateStatus,
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendBestEffort,
-			Data:     status.ToClusterJson(),
+			Data:     []byte(status.ToClusterJson()),
 		}
 		a.Cluster().SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
diff --git a/app/web_hub.go b/app/web_hub.go
index be5fd205ff..2fc212ea25 100644
--- a/app/web_hub.go
+++ b/app/web_hub.go
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ func (a *App) invalidateCacheForChannelMembersNotifyProps(channelID string) {
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    model.ClusterEventInvalidateCacheForChannelMembersNotifyProps,
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendBestEffort,
-			Data:     channelID,
+			Data:     []byte(channelID),
 		}
 		a.Cluster().SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ func (a *App) invalidateCacheForUserTeams(userID string) {
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    model.ClusterEventInvalidateCacheForUserTeams,
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendBestEffort,
-			Data:     userID,
+			Data:     []byte(userID),
 		}
 		a.Cluster().SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
diff --git a/model/cluster_message.go b/model/cluster_message.go
index 6998e3009f..9db02ffcc0 100644
--- a/model/cluster_message.go
+++ b/model/cluster_message.go
@@ -3,11 +3,6 @@
 
 package model
 
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-	"io"
-)
-
 type ClusterEvent string
 
 const (
@@ -62,17 +57,6 @@ type ClusterMessage struct {
 	Event            ClusterEvent      `json:"event"`
 	SendType         string            `json:"-"`
 	WaitForAllToSend bool              `json:"-"`
-	Data             string            `json:"data,omitempty"`
+	Data             []byte            `json:"data,omitempty"`
 	Props            map[string]string `json:"props,omitempty"`
 }
-
-func (o *ClusterMessage) ToJson() string {
-	b, _ := json.Marshal(o)
-	return string(b)
-}
-
-func ClusterMessageFromJson(data io.Reader) *ClusterMessage {
-	var o *ClusterMessage
-	json.NewDecoder(data).Decode(&o)
-	return o
-}
diff --git a/model/cluster_message_test.go b/model/cluster_message_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 90ddb6d22b..0000000000
--- a/model/cluster_message_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright (c) 2015-present Mattermost, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
-// See LICENSE.txt for license information.
-
-package model
-
-import (
-	"strings"
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-)
-
-func TestClusterMessage(t *testing.T) {
-	m := ClusterMessage{
-		Event:    ClusterEventPublish,
-		SendType: ClusterSendBestEffort,
-		Data:     "hello",
-	}
-	json := m.ToJson()
-	result := ClusterMessageFromJson(strings.NewReader(json))
-
-	require.Equal(t, "hello", result.Data)
-
-	badresult := ClusterMessageFromJson(strings.NewReader("junk"))
-
-	require.Nil(t, badresult, "should not have parsed")
-}
diff --git a/model/websocket_message.go b/model/websocket_message.go
index f37759be3c..dcbd1cc73f 100644
--- a/model/websocket_message.go
+++ b/model/websocket_message.go
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 type WebSocketMessage interface {
-	ToJson() string
+	ToJson() []byte
 	IsValid() bool
 	EventType() string
 }
@@ -199,9 +199,9 @@ func (ev *WebSocketEvent) EventType() string {
 	return ev.event
 }
 
-func (ev *WebSocketEvent) ToJson() string {
+func (ev *WebSocketEvent) ToJson() []byte {
 	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.GetSequence())
+		return []byte(fmt.Sprintf(`{"event": %s, "data": %s, "broadcast": %s, "seq": %d}`, ev.precomputedJSON.Event, ev.precomputedJSON.Data, ev.precomputedJSON.Broadcast, ev.GetSequence()))
 	}
 	b, _ := json.Marshal(webSocketEventJSON{
 		ev.event,
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ func (ev *WebSocketEvent) ToJson() string {
 		ev.broadcast,
 		ev.sequence,
 	})
-	return string(b)
+	return b
 }
 
 // Encode encodes the event to the given encoder.
@@ -280,9 +280,9 @@ func (m *WebSocketResponse) EventType() string {
 	return WebsocketEventResponse
 }
 
-func (m *WebSocketResponse) ToJson() string {
+func (m *WebSocketResponse) ToJson() []byte {
 	b, _ := json.Marshal(m)
-	return string(b)
+	return b
 }
 
 func WebSocketResponseFromJson(data io.Reader) *WebSocketResponse {
diff --git a/model/websocket_message_test.go b/model/websocket_message_test.go
index b1961fb939..bd8ed03ec4 100644
--- a/model/websocket_message_test.go
+++ b/model/websocket_message_test.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 package model
 
 import (
-	"strings"
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func TestWebSocketEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	m.Add("user", user)
 	json := m.ToJson()
-	result := WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader(json))
+	result := WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader(json))
 
 	require.True(t, m.IsValid(), "should be valid")
 	require.Equal(t, m.GetBroadcast().TeamId, result.GetBroadcast().TeamId, "Team ids do not match")
@@ -73,10 +73,10 @@ func TestWebSocketEventImmutable(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWebSocketEventFromJson(t *testing.T) {
-	ev := WebSocketEventFromJson(strings.NewReader("junk"))
+	ev := WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader([]byte("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))
+	data := []byte(`{"event": "test", "data": {"key": "val"}, "seq": 45, "broadcast": {"user_id": "userid"}}`)
+	ev = WebSocketEventFromJson(bytes.NewReader(data))
 	require.NotNil(t, ev, "should have parsed")
 	require.Equal(t, ev.EventType(), "test")
 	require.Equal(t, ev.GetSequence(), int64(45))
@@ -89,11 +89,11 @@ func TestWebSocketResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	e := NewWebSocketError(1, &AppError{})
 	m.Add("RootId", NewId())
 	json := m.ToJson()
-	result := WebSocketResponseFromJson(strings.NewReader(json))
+	result := WebSocketResponseFromJson(bytes.NewReader(json))
 	json2 := e.ToJson()
-	WebSocketResponseFromJson(strings.NewReader(json2))
+	WebSocketResponseFromJson(bytes.NewReader(json2))
 
-	badresult := WebSocketResponseFromJson(strings.NewReader("junk"))
+	badresult := WebSocketResponseFromJson(bytes.NewReader([]byte("junk")))
 	require.Nil(t, badresult, "should not have parsed")
 
 	require.True(t, m.IsValid(), "should be valid")
@@ -109,10 +109,10 @@ func TestWebSocketEvent_PrecomputeJSON(t *testing.T) {
 	event.PrecomputeJSON()
 	after := event.ToJson()
 
-	assert.JSONEq(t, before, after)
+	assert.Equal(t, before, after)
 }
 
-var stringSink string
+var stringSink []byte
 
 func BenchmarkWebSocketEvent_ToJson(b *testing.B) {
 	event := NewWebSocketEvent(WebsocketEventPosted, "foo", "bar", "baz", nil)
diff --git a/services/users/session.go b/services/users/session.go
index b2cd720287..de5570131c 100644
--- a/services/users/session.go
+++ b/services/users/session.go
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ func (us *UserService) ClearUserSessionCache(userID string) {
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    model.ClusterEventClearSessionCacheForUser,
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendReliable,
-			Data:     userID,
+			Data:     []byte(userID),
 		}
 		us.cluster.SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
diff --git a/services/users/users.go b/services/users/users.go
index c850c3c32d..b55e6ddc8e 100644
--- a/services/users/users.go
+++ b/services/users/users.go
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func (us *UserService) InvalidateCacheForUser(userID string) {
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    model.ClusterEventInvalidateCacheForUser,
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendBestEffort,
-			Data:     userID,
+			Data:     []byte(userID),
 		}
 		us.cluster.SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go
index 527567736d..6f9a1c2c17 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -14,34 +16,34 @@ type LocalCacheChannelStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheChannelStore) handleClusterInvalidateChannelMemberCounts(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.channelMemberCountsCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.channelMemberCountsCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.channelMemberCountsCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheChannelStore) handleClusterInvalidateChannelPinnedPostCount(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.channelPinnedPostCountsCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.channelPinnedPostCountsCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.channelPinnedPostCountsCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheChannelStore) handleClusterInvalidateChannelGuestCounts(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.channelGuestCountCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.channelGuestCountCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.channelGuestCountCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheChannelStore) handleClusterInvalidateChannelById(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.channelByIdCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.channelByIdCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.channelByIdCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/emoji_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/emoji_layer.go
index 8da7af5482..d774d85338 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/emoji_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/emoji_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"sync"
 
@@ -22,24 +23,24 @@ type LocalCacheEmojiStore struct {
 }
 
 func (es *LocalCacheEmojiStore) handleClusterInvalidateEmojiById(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		es.rootStore.emojiCacheById.Purge()
 	} else {
 		es.emojiByIdMut.Lock()
-		es.emojiByIdInvalidations[msg.Data] = true
+		es.emojiByIdInvalidations[string(msg.Data)] = true
 		es.emojiByIdMut.Unlock()
-		es.rootStore.emojiCacheById.Remove(msg.Data)
+		es.rootStore.emojiCacheById.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (es *LocalCacheEmojiStore) handleClusterInvalidateEmojiIdByName(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		es.rootStore.emojiIdCacheByName.Purge()
 	} else {
 		es.emojiByNameMut.Lock()
-		es.emojiByNameInvalidations[msg.Data] = true
+		es.emojiByNameInvalidations[string(msg.Data)] = true
 		es.emojiByNameMut.Unlock()
-		es.rootStore.emojiIdCacheByName.Remove(msg.Data)
+		es.rootStore.emojiIdCacheByName.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/file_info_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/file_info_layer.go
index b11de6c436..e077802df5 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/file_info_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/file_info_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -14,11 +16,11 @@ type LocalCacheFileInfoStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheFileInfoStore) handleClusterInvalidateFileInfo(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.fileInfoCache.Purge()
 		return
 	}
-	s.rootStore.fileInfoCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+	s.rootStore.fileInfoCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 }
 
 func (s LocalCacheFileInfoStore) GetForPost(postId string, readFromMaster, includeDeleted, allowFromCache bool) ([]*model.FileInfo, error) {
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/layer.go
index a619834cac..75276fc0dc 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/layer.go
@@ -58,11 +58,11 @@ const (
 	TeamCacheSize = 20000
 	TeamCacheSec  = 30 * 60
 
-	ClearCacheMessageData = ""
-
 	ChannelCacheSec = 15 * 60 // 15 mins
 )
 
+var clearCacheMessageData = []byte("")
+
 type LocalCacheStore struct {
 	store.Store
 	metrics einterfaces.MetricsInterface
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ func (s *LocalCacheStore) doInvalidateCacheCluster(cache cache.Cache, key string
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    cache.GetInvalidateClusterEvent(),
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendBestEffort,
-			Data:     key,
+			Data:     []byte(key),
 		}
 		s.cluster.SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ func (s *LocalCacheStore) doClearCacheCluster(cache cache.Cache) {
 		msg := &model.ClusterMessage{
 			Event:    cache.GetInvalidateClusterEvent(),
 			SendType: model.ClusterSendBestEffort,
-			Data:     ClearCacheMessageData,
+			Data:     clearCacheMessageData,
 		}
 		s.cluster.SendClusterMessage(msg)
 	}
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/post_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/post_layer.go
index 4f2886b0d1..80bc09bdcb 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/post_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/post_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -18,18 +19,18 @@ type LocalCachePostStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCachePostStore) handleClusterInvalidateLastPostTime(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.lastPostTimeCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.lastPostTimeCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.lastPostTimeCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCachePostStore) handleClusterInvalidateLastPosts(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.postLastPostsCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.postLastPostsCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.postLastPostsCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/reaction_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/reaction_layer.go
index 9d309df2d8..30a1e61525 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/reaction_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/reaction_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -14,10 +16,10 @@ type LocalCacheReactionStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheReactionStore) handleClusterInvalidateReaction(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.reactionCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.reactionCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.reactionCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/role_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/role_layer.go
index 44f60102a0..3ab2258b2e 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/role_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/role_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
@@ -18,18 +19,18 @@ type LocalCacheRoleStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheRoleStore) handleClusterInvalidateRole(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.roleCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.roleCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.roleCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheRoleStore) handleClusterInvalidateRolePermissions(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.rolePermissionsCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.rolePermissionsCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.rolePermissionsCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/scheme_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/scheme_layer.go
index ae74cdeaf6..6e7c3af15c 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/scheme_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/scheme_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -14,10 +16,10 @@ type LocalCacheSchemeStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheSchemeStore) handleClusterInvalidateScheme(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.schemeCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.schemeCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.schemeCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/team_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/team_layer.go
index 17f32a5caf..3f96a325ae 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/team_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/team_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -14,10 +16,10 @@ type LocalCacheTeamStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheTeamStore) handleClusterInvalidateTeam(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.teamAllTeamIdsForUserCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.teamAllTeamIdsForUserCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.teamAllTeamIdsForUserCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/terms_of_service_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/terms_of_service_layer.go
index 6a87d50bc9..2db4a64adf 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/terms_of_service_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/terms_of_service_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -18,10 +20,10 @@ type LocalCacheTermsOfServiceStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheTermsOfServiceStore) handleClusterInvalidateTermsOfService(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.termsOfServiceCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.termsOfServiceCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.termsOfServiceCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/user_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/user_layer.go
index e9cef4a0da..c3465c5a71 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/user_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/user_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"sort"
 	"sync"
@@ -21,21 +22,21 @@ type LocalCacheUserStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheUserStore) handleClusterInvalidateScheme(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.userProfileByIdsCache.Purge()
 	} else {
 		s.userProfileByIdsMut.Lock()
-		s.userProfileByIdsInvalidations[msg.Data] = true
+		s.userProfileByIdsInvalidations[string(msg.Data)] = true
 		s.userProfileByIdsMut.Unlock()
-		s.rootStore.userProfileByIdsCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.userProfileByIdsCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheUserStore) handleClusterInvalidateProfilesInChannel(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.profilesInChannelCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.profilesInChannelCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.profilesInChannelCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/store/localcachelayer/webhook_layer.go b/store/localcachelayer/webhook_layer.go
index 158e3922f5..c2330a2f2b 100644
--- a/store/localcachelayer/webhook_layer.go
+++ b/store/localcachelayer/webhook_layer.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 package localcachelayer
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
+
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/model"
 	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/v6/store"
 )
@@ -14,10 +16,10 @@ type LocalCacheWebhookStore struct {
 }
 
 func (s *LocalCacheWebhookStore) handleClusterInvalidateWebhook(msg *model.ClusterMessage) {
-	if msg.Data == ClearCacheMessageData {
+	if bytes.Equal(msg.Data, clearCacheMessageData) {
 		s.rootStore.webhookCache.Purge()
 	} else {
-		s.rootStore.webhookCache.Remove(msg.Data)
+		s.rootStore.webhookCache.Remove(string(msg.Data))
 	}
 }