Concerns have emerged regarding WhatsApp’s access to microphones on certain Android devices, triggering discussions about privacy. The issue surfaced when a Twitter engineer voiced his concerns via a tweet that gained traction after being shared by Elon Musk, CEO of Twitter. The engineer asserted that the Meta-owned messaging platform accessed his Google Pixel 7 Pro’s microphone overnight without any active usage of the app. In response, WhatsApp refuted these claims, attributing the problem to a bug in Android that misrepresents data in the Privacy Dashboard, and stated that they have contacted Google for further investigation.
Foad Dabiri, Twitter’s director of engineering, took to social media to share an alarming screenshot from his Pixel 7 Pro, indicating that WhatsApp had accessed the microphone of his device multiple times while he was asleep. According to the Privacy Dashboard displayed on his Android, there were recordings made by WhatsApp at least nine times during the early hours. Dabiri questioned why the app was able to access the microphone without user engagement, saying, “WhatsApp has been using the microphone in the background, while I was asleep and since I woke up at 6 AM (and that’s just a part of the timeline!) What’s going on?”
WhatsApp has been using the microphone in the background, while I was asleep and since I woke up at 6AM (and that’s just a part of the timeline!) What’s going on? pic.twitter.com/pNIfe4VlHV
— Foad Dabiri (@foaddabiri) May 6, 2023
Dabiri’s claims resonated with other WhatsApp users on Pixel’s support forums and Twitter, with many noting that the microphone indicator on their devices remained active even after exiting the application. Some users reported experimenting with this issue for over a month. By reviewing the Permissions History in the Settings menu on their Android devices, they observed that WhatsApp appeared to have accessed the microphone when it was not in use. Activity detected in the Privacy Dashboard further supported their claims.
The matter received added attention when Elon Musk reacted to Dabiri’s tweet, stating, “Trust Nothing, Not even nothing.” This comment added to the public discourse surrounding privacy and app permissions.
Trust nothing, not even nothing
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2023
In light of the allegations, WhatsApp released a statement addressing the concerns, labeling them as an Android-specific bug that misrepresents information in the Privacy Dashboard. They confirmed they have reached out to Google to address the situation and clarify concerns.
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
WhatsApp reiterated that users maintain complete control over microphone settings. The company stated that microphone access is permitted solely when making calls or recording messages and emphasized that these communications are safeguarded by end-to-end encryption, meaning WhatsApp cannot listen in.
In related developments, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, announced on May 10 that the government will investigate the allegations against WhatsApp. He asserted that the Ministry would address any privacy violations, especially as the new Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDP) is being finalized.
Shivnath Thukral, Meta’s Director and Head of India Public Policy, responded to Chandrasekhar’s tweet, reinforcing that the issue appears to stem from an Android bug and that Google is looking into the matter. Thukral also reassured users that their calls and voice notes are secured by end-to-end encryption, thus maintaining privacy.
