Reports suggest that WhatsApp may be accessing the microphone of devices such as Google Pixel 7 and Galaxy S23, even when the app is not actively in use. It is claimed that WhatsApp is utilizing the device’s microphone without explicit permission or notification.
Similar reports of the issue have been circulating for several weeks, and users have been able to detect the use of their device’s microphone through the “Privacy Indicators” feature available on Android 12. This feature displays a small green notification on the screen’s top right corner whenever an app accesses sensitive permissions such as the microphone or camera.
However, numerous WhatsApp users have reported that the green dot with a microphone icon remains active even after exiting or closing the app, indicating that WhatsApp might be using the microphone in the background.
Normally, the green dot should only appear when the microphone is actively in use, such as when recording voice notes or making video calls. Some users have verified this activity through the “Permissions History” section in Android settings.