Google Changes Developer Policies
Yesterday Google has made some changes in its developer policies, and the bad news arrives for all third-party call recording apps. As per online reports, all call recording apps will be blocked from the Play Store from May 11. Such apps will not be allowed to use accessibility API to record the calls. Because currently, these apps are using Accessibility API to get access to audio functions on Android Phones. This is a big step taken by Google, but the fact is android phones have native call recording features that Google can’t ban.
Revised Policy of Google
The policy states, “Apps with a core functionality intended to directly support people with disabilities are eligible to use the IsAccessibilityTool.”
“Apps not eligible for ‘IsAccessibilityTool’ may not use the flag and must meet prominent disclosure and consent requirements. The Accessibility API is not designed and cannot be requested for remote call audio recording.”
Would You Like Calls Being Recorded Without Your Consent?
Recording calls sounds like a normal practice, but once you see the perspective of your conversations being recorded without your consent means that your trust is being taken for granted. Your confidential talk can backfire with someone who is recording it without your knowing.
Every phone has it, whether a budgeted or premium smartphone they all have a native call recording feature. Realme, Oppo, Vivo, Google Pixel, Samsung, etc. all come with the native call recorder pre-installed on your phone. But on the other hand, it’s a relief that Realme, Xiaomi, and OnePlus come with the call recorder that alarms a notification to the caller on the other side that “this call is being recorded”.
Also read:
You Should Know These 5 WhatsApp Security Tips To Be Safe
Blocking Call Recording Is Just A Start For Google
With respect to Google’s perspective, it’s a good start to ban third-party call recording apps from the play store, but it’s just one step and more is ahead. Apple does not provide native call recording features currently. And it is also known that some third-party apps also allow recording WhatsApp calls.
