Google is banning third-party name recording apps from the Play Store | Engadget

Google is introducing a brand new Play Store policy that may successfully block third-party name recording apps from the Play Store by May eleventh, based on a Reddit post seen by 9to5Google. Such apps presently use the Accessibility API (designed for folks with disabilities) to achieve entry to the audio features on Android units. 

“Apps with a core functionality intended to directly support people with disabilities are eligible to use the IsAccessibilityTool,” the coverage states. “Apps not eligible for IsAccessibilityTool may not use the flag and must meet prominent disclosure and consent requirements. The Accessibility API is not designed and cannot be requested for remote call audio recording. ” 

Google has steadily been making an attempt to get rid of name recording on Android, primarily as a result of privateness issues. It was largely blocked on Android 6, and the usage of the microphone for name recording was eradicated in Android 10. The final resort for name recording apps was to make use of the Accessibility API. 

Google addressed the problem in a webinar video, saying that “remote in this context refers to call audio recording where the person on the other end is unaware of the recording is taking place.” It added that dialer apps like Google Phone and Mi Dialer with native name recording performance can be unaffected by the change.

 “If the app is the default dialer on the phone and also pre-loaded, accessibility capability is not required to get access to the incoming audio stream,” mentioned Google content material world operations lead Moun Choi. “Hence would not be in violation. Since this is a clarification to an existing policy, the new language will apply to all apps starting on May 11th.” It’s not clear if the brand new coverage means current name recorder apps can be pulled from the Play Store.

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