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

Google did what triggered a storm around Microsoft Teams just a few weeks ago. However, this time 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 the company, your boss can read your messages.

Google emphasizes that the solution applies only to devices managed under Android Enterprise — personal phones remain unchanged. However, for many employees, this is still a shock, 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 "on the way." But on your device, the message is decrypted, so anyone who controls that device can read it. And what about the work phone? It is controlled by the employer.

What does Google say?

The company describes it as:

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

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

But... who actually reads these messages?

The End of Privacy Illusion

Years ago, we all got used to the fact that work email is not private. But SMS messages and RCS? They were treated quite differently — more personal, “mine,” secure. Now that division is disappearing. And most importantly: it’s not just about regulated industries like banking or energy. Google clearly states that any organization 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... probably won't help. Since RCS is no longer private on corporate devices, the risk that conversations will move to unsanctioned applications will only increase. On devices with Android Enterprise, a message will appear 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 analyzed by your employer.