Google is Killing ALL Android Call Recording Apps on Play Store Starting May | Here’s Why

Google is attempting to ditch all call recording Android apps on its Play Store starting this May, a new report revealed.

Google Android Call Recording

Android smartphones previously had a built-in call recording feature, but the search engine tech giant eventually started removing the said function in the name of both security and privacy. Not to mention that in other parts of the world, recording a phone call is against their local laws.

All that said, according to a news story by Android Authority, Google removed its built-in phone recording feature as it rolled out Android 10 a few years ago.

As a result, the Google Play Store has been filled with third-party apps that allow its users to record phone calls to answer for the demand for the missing feature on Android.

According to a report by PCMag, the right Android app could still enable call recording features, including the Call Recorder - Automatic Call Recorder Pro.

The numerous Play Store apps that have popped out every now and then use the Accessibility API of Android to record phone calls even if the built-in feature has already vanished into thin air.

But this time around, Google is seriously trying to get rid of all call recording Android apps, which its official app marketplace, Play Store, currently houses.

The tech giant is looking into killing all call recording apps listed on the app marketplace starting next month.

Google Play Store's New Policy vs. Call Recording Apps

Android Authority cited a post from a Reddit user claiming that Google is applying a policy change on how app devs could use the Accessibility API on Android.

The tech behemoth reportedly said that "the Accessibility API is not designed and cannot be requested for remote call audio recording." Google also reportedly reiterated this to app developers in a recent online seminar.

To be more precise, Google is updating its Play Store policy starting May 11, wherein call audio recording apps will no longer be allowed to use the Accessibility API of Android devices.

The latest move from the tech giant is attempting to kill all call recording apps on its mobile operating system.

Google Play Store's New Policy

However, it is worth noting that the newest policy change on Google Play Store starting this May only applies to third-party apps, mostly affecting call recording apps.

That said, Google clarified that the new policy will not take effect on the native call recording features of Pixel and Xiaomi phones.

The tech giant explained during the developer webinar that pre-loader or default dialer apps do not need to use the Accessibility API. Thus, the new policy does not cover their call recording functions.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris