Watch what you say even when you are alone — WhatsApp may be listening.
In the last few weeks, users have noticed that the Meta-owned encrypted messaging app has been using the microphone in the background.
The green dot has remained persistent on Android phones even when users are not using their cameras or microphones. When searching through their Privacy Dashboard, users found that WhatsApp was indeed using the microphone when they were unaware.
Elon Musk tweeted that “WhatsApp cannot be trusted,” in response to a viral tweet from a Twitter staffer. In the post, Foad Dabiri said that WhatsApp had quietly been using his phone’s mic while he was asleep.
Over the last 24 hours we’ve been in touch with a Twitter engineer who posted an issue with his Pixel phone and WhatsApp.
We believe this is a bug on Android that mis-attributes information in their Privacy Dashboard and have asked Google to investigate and remediate. https://t.co/MnBi3qE6Gp
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) May 9, 2023
Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones appear to have been the most affected, though the problem may be occurring on other models.
WhatsApp seems to be blaming Google for the problem. They said WhatsApp isn’t using the microphone in the background and that an Android bug is incorrectly showing the information on the Privacy Dashboard.
Trust nothing, not even nothing
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2023
If you’re an Android user, you can see how many times WhatsApp has used your mic through the phone’s settings. You should select “privacy,” and then “microphone” to see which apps have used your microphone recently.
To see which permissions WhatsApp has access to specifically, go to your phone’s settings and scroll down until you see “apps.”
It is suggested that users facing this problem should revoke microphone access altogether for the time being.
Add comment