Call recording is a real headache for Google. On the one hand, this is a highly requested feature by users and can come in handy in many situations. On the other hand, many governments ban its integration into apps for fear of the blatant abuses it might cause.
That’s why Google is throwing in the towel. Although Android 10 has already banned recordings by default after years of freedom in this regard, the Mountain View company has announced a new step. On May 11, 2022, the Play Store will officially ban the release of apps that hijack the accessibility API to allow audio recording of calls.
Google will block call recording on Android, but only third-party apps
Is this the endpoint of call recording in Android? Not exactly. As stated above, only apps made from the Play Store will be subject to this new regulation. Otherwise, manufacturers’ native applications are not affected. If you have a Pixel, so unless you live in France or any other country that bans this app… you can always access this feature.
In fact, Xiaomi smartphones that offer call recording directly from their interface will always let you do this. The same will apply to all Android overlays specific to each manufacturer. For now, Google hasn’t specified anything about the latter. “If the app is the phone’s default dialer and is also pre-installed, the accessibility feature is not needed to access the incoming audio stream and therefore there is no violation »says the company.
Therefore, we have every reason to believe that the firm does not currently plan to ban manufacturers from integrating functionality into their skins.
Source : reddit
