TL;PhD
- Google has changed some developer policies that will kill call logging apps forever.
- These changes will not affect the native call recording feature that comes preinstalled on some phones.
- However, third-party call recording apps in the Google Play Store will not work after May 11.
Google recently made some changes to its Play Store policies, which will go into effect on May 11. One of the changes is to permanently kill the call recording app on Android.
As pointed out by Reddit user NLL Apps, this particular policy change affects app developers’ use of the Accessibility API. “The Accessibility API is not by design and cannot be requested for remote call recording,” Google said. Google also articulated the policy during a developer webinar that was live-streamed a few hours ago.
Google has been slowly deprecating and removing the API that enables call recording on multiple Android versions. The company does this in the name of privacy and security, and also because call recording laws vary so much in different countries. In Android 10, Google blocked call recording by default. So, to circumvent the restriction, Play Store apps started using the Accessibility API to record calls. This will no longer be possible after Google implements the new changes next month.
That said, Google’s policy is limited to third-party call recording apps on the Play Store. The native call recording functionality of phones like Google Pixels or Mi phones with Mi Dialer will not be affected.
“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, so there is no violation,” the presenter explained in a developer webinar discussion Updates to Google Play policies.
Essentially, system apps can get any permissions because they are pre-installed on the phone. Third-party apps don’t have the same leeway and need to acquire permissions.
Google effectively killed third-party call recording apps on May 11. do you support it?
1151 votes
yes
15%
Do not
71%
I do not care
14%
It remains to be seen whether developers will implement the new policy changes before the May deadline, or whether Google will remove apps from the Play Store for non-compliance.
What do you think about Google restricting call recording apps? Are you happy with the change, or don’t like it? Take our poll and tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
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