Google Intends to Safeguard Employee Privacy on Corporate Devices
Google Introduces New Privacy Features on Android 11 to Balance Employee Privacy and Enterprise Data Security
In a bid to reconcile the often perceived opposition between privacy and enterprise data security, Google has rolled out a series of new privacy features on Android 11. These features aim to address the challenges created by employee resistance to traditional full device management.
One of the key introductions is the work profile for employees on corporate devices. This feature creates confidential profiles to separate and protect sensitive apps and data on Android devices. This way, company data remains secure while employee privacy is preserved.
Another significant addition is the ability to block employees from using certain apps on company-owned devices. This feature provides IT organizations with the control they need to maintain data security without invading employee privacy.
Google's commitment to delivering simple, consistent privacy protections to its users is evident in these new features. The tech giant has expanded Android's commitment to employee privacy in Android 11, bringing the privacy protections of the work profile to company-owned devices.
Employees increasingly demand privacy from the technology they use every day. In a recent survey by ESG research, 71% of employees said they expect all personal information to remain private on work devices. Employee concern about privacy is the top reason mobile devices remain unmanaged by IT, according to IDC.
Since its debut in Android 5, the work profile has secured company data on personally-owned devices while preserving employee privacy. By bringing privacy protections to company-owned devices, Google allows IT to deploy the work profile to help protect employee privacy across all devices, regardless of ownership.
Google emphasizes that IT shouldn't put company data at risk to enable mobile productivity, just as employees shouldn't be asked to reveal private, personal data to their company. The new privacy features allow IT to manage what employees can do with their personal profiles without needing to know their other app usage outside of work.
The Android Management API will support the work profile enhancements in July, enabling customers and developers to test the new features on the Android 11 Beta. Google is also extending its commitment to delivering privacy protections to its users, as stated earlier.
In July, the Android Management API will support the work profile enhancements, allowing customers and developers to test the new features on the Android 11 Beta. Google is also bringing Android 11's privacy protections and robust asset management features to older Android devices, as far back as Android 8.
This resistance to traditional full device management creates challenges for IT organizations. However, with the new privacy features, Google is working towards bridging this gap and ensuring a balance between employee privacy and enterprise data security.
