Some phones have built-in ‘call recording applications’ that record conversations as audio files. Apart from this, this process can also be performed with third-party software downloaded from the Google Play Store.
Call recorder applications can connect not only to the internal memory of the phone, but also to a cloud storage service such as Google Drive and synchronize the recordings in seconds. Google has taken a decision to radically block the operation of these applications, which have the potential to cause privacy violations.
Google shuts down call recording apps
With the policy change effective May 11, 2022, developers will be restricted from accessing Android’s Accessibility API. According to Google’s statement, this API can no longer be used to request audio recording of remote calls.
Call recording was blocked by default in Android 10. However, the developers were able to circumvent this and keep their call recording apps afloat through Android’s Accessibility API. Currently, when you install a call recorder, you need to give permission from the Accessibility section of your phone to activate it.
Google has completely disabled call recording applications by blocking this method with its new policy. On the other hand, as with the Google Pixel, the call recorder software built into the phone will continue to work after May 11, as it does not need to access the Accessibility API.
Third-party software installed from Google Play Store and from an external source as APK, requires certain permissions (such as Accessibility) in order to use some of its functions. However, since the system apps are pre-installed on the phone, they can run without the need for permission. Although it is possible to integrate applications into the system with root permission, the reliability of this method is always open to debate.
What do you guys think about this decision of Google? You can share your views in the comments or on the SDN Forum.
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