According to a Reddit post seen, Google is rolling out a new Play Store policy that will effectively block third-party call recording apps on the Play Store until May 11. 9to5Google. Such apps currently use the Accessibility API (designed for people with disabilities) to access audio features on Android devices.
“Apps with core functionality designed to directly support people with disabilities are eligible to use the IsAccessibilityTool,” the policy states. “Apps that do not qualify for the IsAccessibilityTool must not use this badge and must meet significant disclosure and consent requirements. The Accessibility API is not designed to request remote call recordings.”
Google has been gradually trying to eliminate call recording on Android, mostly due to privacy concerns. It was basically blocked on Android 6, and call recording using the microphone was removed in Android 10. The last resort for call recording applications is to use the Accessibility API.
Google addressed the issue in a webinar video, saying “remote in this case refers to the recording of a call, and the person on the other end doesn’t know the recording is happening.” It added that the likes of Google Phone and Xiaomi Dialer have local The dialer app for the call recording feature will not be affected by this change.
“If the app is the default dialer on the phone and is also preloaded, the accessibility feature is not required to access the incoming audio stream,” said Moun Choi, Google’s head of global operations for content. “So no violation. As this is a clarification of the existing policy, the new language will apply to all apps starting May 11.” Withdrawn from the Play Store.
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