Yeah but people are highly aware of it and there is even a disclaimer in Email Signatures that everything is tracked. If you are dealing with government ministries in European countries some of the (unofficial) information exchange is done without written record, either at in-person conferences or even through non-work phones.
Worked shortly as a bike delivery guy for a small independent German bookstore. They did deliveries in the small town and you could order books by phone or email. The atmosphere in the shop was chill. The owner was an old really well-read hippie, who was really friendly.The pay was rather shit but I’d say it was overall a good job.