Truecaller removes call recording feature following new Google rule

Soon after Google revealed that it was banning call recording apps, Truecaller announced to remove the call recording feature from its platform. Google on Thursday announced the removal of all apps with the call recording feature starting May 11.

Commenting on the matter, a Truecaller spokesperson said, “as per the updated Google Developer Program policies, we are unable to offer call recordings any longer. This will not affect devices that have call recording built into the device natively."

"We had introduced call recording for all Android smartphones based on overwhelming consumer demand. Call Recording on Truecaller was free for everyone, permission-based and required users to enable the feature using the Google Accessibility API,” the spokesperson further detailed.

Google has been against call recording apps and services for many years now, as the company believes it to be an invasion of user’s privacy. For the same reason, the call recording feature on Google’s own Dialer app comes with a loud “this call is now being recorded” alert, which is heard on both sides before recording begins.

To recall, Google blocked real-time call recording on Android 6, then, with Android 10, it removed in-call audio recording over the microphone. Some apps, though, found a loophole in Android to access the Accessibility Service to offer the call recording functionality on devices running on Android 10 and above. “The Accessibility API is not designed and cannot be requested for remote call audio recording,” one of the clauses from the updated Play Store policies reads.

Google also clarified that the change will affect only third-party apps. This clearly means that call recording on the Google Dialer will still function if it is available on your device or region. This also suggests that any preloaded Dialer apps with a call recording feature will also function. Only the apps downloaded from the Google Play store will be removed. So, any app that allows users to record calls will be blocked on the Play store on May 11.