Google’s new Android update means your text messages on work phones are no longer private. The update lets employers access and archive your RCS and SMS messages on company-managed Android devices.
This changes how we think about texting at work because, until now, many believed texting was a private space, especially with end-to-end encryption protecting messages during transmission.
But the encryption only works while messages travel; once they arrive on your device, they are decrypted and accessible to anyone who controls that device.
This move is significant because it extends existing archiving practices, common with emails, to text messages.
While this update mainly affects regulated industries, it applies to all companies using work-managed phones.
Employees must know their texts can be read and stored by their employer, changing the trust and privacy balance in workplaces.
It also discourages employees from using personal messaging apps to avoid monitoring, a practice known as shadow IT, which could compromise security further.
Looking ahead, this shift may lead to stricter policies around communications on work phones.
Employees will need to be more careful about what they text, knowing their messages are no longer private.
For companies, it offers a way to meet compliance rules and reduce risks but raises questions about privacy and employee trust.
Ultimately, this update shows how technology designed for convenience can reshape workplace privacy, making transparency and clear communication policies more important than ever.
