Google to kill call recording apps: Android users will not be able to record cal

[_Sayujya_]

Google

 is reportedly coming down heavily on third-party 

call recording apps

 on 

Android

 smartphones. Starting May 11, app developers will not be able to offer the call recording feature through third-party apps. The company recently made some changes to its Google 

Play Store

 Policy and one of these aim to kill call recording apps on Android devices. As per the new policy, apps are no longer permitted to use Accessibility API for call recording on Play Store.What this means for Android smartphone users

This means that Android users who are using a smartphone without a built-in call recorder will not be able to record calls after May 11. However, the new changes in the policy, first spotted by a Reddit user NLL Apps, only affects third-party call recording apps. The native call recording feature will still work as usual. So if a user's smartphone has a built-in call recording option, he/she can continue using it. This means that they can continue to record calls, but not with a third-party app. The system or native/default apps can get any permission as they come pre-installed on the phone and so are not dependent on Play Store policies. The phones that offer native call recording feature include almost all Android smartphone vendors -- Xiaomi, Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, OnePlus and Google itself.The search giant has been working to stop call recording on Android devices for since quite many years. It blocked access to realtime call recording on Android 6 and further restricted call recording over the microphone on Android 10. In fact, Google's Android 11 Beta alerted the recipient with a beep if call was being recorded, however, this feature didnt make it to the final version. This move from Google made call recording apps tweak their methodology and they started using Accessibility Service to record calls on Android 10 and later versions.

Google has also official announced the policy changes during its developers seminar held recently. "If the app is the default dialer on the phone and also pre-loaded, accessibility capability is is not required to get access to the incoming audio stream, and hence, will not be in violation," the presenter said during the webinar explaining the Google Play policy updates.* Two way real call recording including Bluetooth/Headphones

* Call recording from microphone or loud speakerWhat is not clear

The ban on call recording apps is official. However, it is not clear if Google will ban the apps that record calls on Google Play Store or just make this feature redundant. There should be more clarity on this in the coming days.Silent audio recording

[Sidharth5678]

But samsung is having its own call recorder .

[ѵօϲɑӀ4ӀօϲɑӀ]

Call recording will still be possible on phones having Google Phone by default (Stock android).

What will happen to ONE UI call recording that time will tell.

[Sid_Karna]

They said 3rd party apps. Samsung uses inbuilt call recording.

[RajathSR]

Call recording is anyways illegal in most of the countries, Google might come with another update in the future an ban call recording altogether

[Sid_Karna]

Why should they ban it in countries where call recording is not banned by law? That's illogical!

[RαʝҽʂԋKυɱαɾ21]

YES, ABSOLUTELY RIGHT

[RajathSR]

They are getting very particular about their so called "privacy" laws
So yeah, they might ban it and give a senseless reason and move on

[Sid_Karna]

Hmm, google arguing for privacy should be an example for irony in schools.