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Take that, spooks! Android 9.0 P to block mic access for idle apps, too

By Daniel Petrov

Published: Feb 21, 2018, 4:24 AM

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Take that, spooks! Android 9.0 P to block mic access for idle apps, too

Android 8.0 Oreo is already on a next level when it comes to managing background apps, permissions, or idle resources, but the next, Android 9.0 P version that will be announced at Google's I/O event in May, will go even further, it seems.

While Android Open Source Project code revealed yesterday that Google is planning to restrict random idle apps from accessing your camera in the background in its next Android versions, something even more sinister will also be cut off from the realm of possibility.

Yes, we are talking about sound recording. Android P will eventually be able to block background applications from accessing both your front or rear cameras, as well as your phone's mics, for a complete blackout when you are not using those tattletales, as it should be. Take that, NSA!

source: XDA

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.