Google has just granted employers access to your messages. What is really changing?

Google has done what caused an uproar around Microsoft Teams just a few weeks ago. This time, however, the matter is much more serious: the new Android update means that your RCS and SMS messages are no longer private on company phones. It doesn't matter that they use end-to-end encryption — if the device is managed by the company, your employer can read them.

What exactly happened?

As revealed by Android Authority, Google is introducing Android RCS Archival on Pixels and other Android phones. The feature allows employers to intercept and archive RCS messages, even those encrypted end-to-end.

In practice, this means one thing:

if you have a company phone managed by your firm, your boss can read your messages.

Google emphasises that the solution only applies to devices managed under Android Enterprise — personal phones remain unchanged. However, for many employees, this is still shocking, as RCS was associated with much greater privacy than email.

The Biggest Misunderstanding: What Is Encryption Really?

The new situation reveals a widespread misunderstanding of how end-to-end encryption works. It protects the transmission of messages — no one can intercept them "along the way". But on your device, the message is decrypted, so anyone who controls that device can read it. And what about your work phone? It is controlled by the employer.

What does Google say?

The company describes it as:

“A reliable, Android-supported messaging archiving solution, backwards compatible with SMS and MMS.”

The employee will see a clear notification that archiving is active.

But... who actually reads these messages?

End of the Privacy Illusion

Years ago, we all got used to the fact that business email is not private. But SMS and RCS? They were treated quite differently — more personal, "mine", secure. Now that division is disappearing. And most importantly: it is not just about regulated industries like banking or energy. Google clearly states that any organisation can use this feature if it manages employees' phones.

Side effect: even more "shadow IT"

Companies have been complaining for years that employees are fleeing to WhatsApp or Signal. This update... is unlikely to help. Since RCS is no longer private on corporate devices, the risk that conversations will move to unsanctioned applications will only increase. A message will appear on Android Enterprise devices informing that message archiving is active. If you see it, remember:

Your messages are no longer confidential.

Just like emails — they can be read, archived, and analysed by the employer.