Google: Now your boss can read your mobile messages! Google's new feature raises concerns..

Google has released a major update, making your SMS and RCS messages on company-provided Android work phones no longer private. This feature, called Android RCS Archival, allows companies to view and store messages you've sent, received, edited, or deleted. This feature will only apply to work-managed devices, but it has raised serious concerns about employee privacy. Google claims this change will help companies comply with regulatory requirements.

What is the new feature, and how does it work?

Google's Android RCS Archival feature allows companies to integrate third-party archiving apps directly into Google Messages. According to Ian Marsanyi, senior product manager at Google, this feature sends data about every RCS message received on a managed work device to the archiving app. This includes sent, received, edited, and even deleted messages. This data is then available to the company's IT department.

Concerns about employee privacy have grown.

Many employees believed that encrypted RCS messages were relatively private and couldn't be monitored like email. However, this update from Google has changed this perception, as personal chats on work phones can now be accessed by employers. This feature will particularly impact employees who also use company phones for personal conversations. Google has clarified that employees will see a notification when the archival feature is activated.

Which devices and apps are subject to this rule?

This feature only applies to Android phones managed solely by the company and will not affect any personal Android phones. Devices with a separate work profile are also not subject to this feature. Furthermore, WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging apps are not part of this system. This means that only Google Messages' SMS, MMS, and RCS chats can be archived.

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