Think Your Work Texts Are Private? Google’s New Feature May Prove Otherwise

A new message-archival feature on company-controlled Google Pixel devices is changing expectations around digital privacy at work.

The system allows employers to securely capture and store full RCS message histories, not only the original texts, but also any edits or deletions made within the allowed time window.

This function is designed for legal and regulatory compliance, especially in heavily monitored fields such as finance, government, and other regulated industries where accurate communications records are mandatory.

Google explains that the archival apps replace traditional carrier-level logging and give organizations a more reliable way to satisfy discovery requests, internal audits, or regulatory investigations.

Companies must first enable the feature, and employees will receive alerts notifying them when their message logs are being archived. Encryption between devices still remains, but archival systems provide a legal-record layer that organizations can retain if required.

The tool works through approved third-party vendors such as Celltrust, Smarsh, and 3rd Eye, with more integrations expected in 2026.

While the feature raises questions about employee privacy, its stated purpose is compliance and documentation, not covert monitoring.