WhatsApp Microphone Controversy: What Happened And What Google Has To Say On The Issue

WHATSAPP recently made headlines after Twitter Engineer Foad Dabiri alleged that the instant messaging app was using its microphone between 4:20 PM and 6:53 PM. The Tweet sent shockwaves across borders that grabbed the attention of top Indian ministers too. According to media reports, Dabiri was using a Google Pixel 7 Pro.

In response, the instant messaging app further iterated that WhatsApp users have complete control over the permission of their device microphone. It can only be accessed when a user makes a voice or video call or records a voice note. Plus, these communications are end-to-end encrypted. Hence "WhatsApp cannot hear them." However, the engineer posted on a different note.

What did the engineer write?

"WhatsApp has been using the microphone in the background while I was sleeping and since I woke up at 6 AM (and this is only a portion of the timeline!) What exactly is going on?" Dabiri posted on the micro-blogging platform. Replying to the Twitter engineer, WhatsApp said that the platform believes it was a "bug on Android that mis-attributes information in their Privacy Dashboard" and had asked Google to investigate.

Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined the conversations and posted, "WhatsApp cannot be trusted."

Centre takes centre stage

During the furore on social media, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), added the Indian government would examine the allegations. If the act amounted to a breach of privacy, necessary action will be taken, the minister added. "This is an unacceptable breach n violation of #Privacy," he said in a tweet on May 10.

Reactions from Google

Amidst this madness, as per Engadget, a Google spokesperson said, "Based on our current investigation, this reported bug in Android affecting WhatsApp users produces incorrect privacy indicators and notifications in the Privacy Dashboard. We are working to develop a fix for users."

Meanwhile, speaking of more updates on WhatsApp, Indian users have been complaining about video and audio call requests from international numbers recently. A user can block and report these numbers and ignore the request to avoid falling into such kinds of scams.