New Google Pixel feature could let your employer see your messages

If you use a company-owned Google Pixel phone, be careful what you say on it.

That should be common sense with any work-provided device, but in case it wasn’t, it will be now. That’s because Google has introduced the ability for third-party archival apps to track RCS messages (Pixel’s version of text messages) that are sent, received, edited, or deleted on “fully managed” phones, per a Google blog post. The idea is to let employers comply with legal discovery, FOIA requests, and other things like that.

According to google, older methods of message retrieval required working with mobile carriers, which is apparently tough to do with the way RCS messages are encrypted from end-to-end. Google says that this new form of archival still retains end-to-end encryption because all of the archival is done on the device itself, but your employer will be able to see anything you

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## Google Pixel RCS Message Archiving: What Employees Need to Know

if you utilize a company-issued Google Pixel smartphone, it’s crucial to understand the implications of a new feature recently introduced by Google. While caution with company-provided devices is generally advisable, this update warrants specific attention. Google now permits third-party archival applications to track Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages – essentially, the modern equivalent of text messages on Pixel devices – that are sent, received, edited, or even deleted, on phones designated as “fully managed.”

This capability,detailed in a recent Google blog post, is designed to assist employers in fulfilling legal obligations such as discovery requests and Freedom of Facts Act (FOIA) compliance.

### The Shift in Message Retrieval

Previously, retrieving messages from employee phones involved collaboration with mobile carriers. Google states this process was elaborate by the end-to-end encryption inherent in RCS messaging. The new archival feature circumvents this difficulty by performing all archiving directly on the device itself.

### Transparency and Encryption

Google emphasizes that this new archival process maintains end-to-end encryption. However, it’s vital to recognize that employers who enable this feature will have visibility into the content of RCS messages. Furthermore,Google asserts that this process will be transparent,with employees receiving notification that their messages are being archived.### Implications for Employees

This growth underscores the importance of understanding your company’s policies regarding device usage. While the feature aims to balance legal compliance with employee privacy through notification, it effectively eliminates the expectation of complete message confidentiality on fully managed Pixel devices. Employees should exercise the same level of discretion in their RCS communications as they would with any other form of work-related correspondence, such as email.