Vladimir Ulyanov, head of the Zecurion analytical center, warned in a radio interview on Sputnik about the potential risks of granting smartphone apps access to the microphone. He pointed out that many users skip reading the license agreement and grant microphone access without fully understanding the consequences that may follow. In most license texts, developers reserve the possibility to collect audio data and share it with third parties, a practice that carries both practical benefits and privacy trade-offs.
Ulyanov stressed that only apps that truly rely on a microphone to function should be permitted to access it. The key requirement, however, is trust in the app and its developers. The expert advises users to review their phone’s permission settings regularly and revoke permissions that appear suspicious or unnecessary. This vigilance helps minimize the chances of unintended data exposure, especially when an app’s necessity is unclear or vague in its description.
He noted that, in many cases, the data collected by developers serves to improve app performance, enhance user experience, and tailor advertising. Yet there is always a risk that voice data could be misused by attackers, potentially leading to serious outcomes such as coercion or extortion based on information obtained through audio recordings. This possibility underscores the importance of cautious permission management and ongoing vigilance over how personal audio data is handled by installed software.
Therefore, users are urged to exercise care when granting microphone access and to scrutinize every permission request, particularly when there is doubt about the necessity of the feature. Regularly reviewing app permissions and preferring reputable, transparent developers can reduce exposure to harmful practices. In the United States and Canada, where regulatory scrutiny and consumer protection standards are continually evolving, informed consent and clear data handling disclosures remain essential components of digital privacy hygiene. (Citation: ESET and other cybersecurity researchers have highlighted incidents where audio-recording apps behaved covertly, emphasizing the value of proactive permission audits and device security checks.)
Earlier, researchers from the information security company ESET identified a malicious app named “iRecorder – Screen Recorder” on Google Play. According to their findings, the program had been covertly recording users’ voices and transmitting those recordings to attackers since August 2022. This discovery illustrates how seemingly benign tools can become vectors for privacy violations when permissions are exploited. The incident prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of granting microphone access to apps without rigorous verification of a developer’s trustworthiness. (Citation: ESET technical report on iRecorder – Screen Recorder.)
People should also be aware of evolving scam tactics involving SIM cards, which can compound the risk by enabling new channels for unauthorized access or fraud. As these schemes become more sophisticated, staying informed about the latest security advisories and employing robust device protections—such as firmware updates, trusted app stores, and two-factor authentication where available—becomes increasingly important. Users in Canada and the United States are encouraged to adopt a cautious, proactive approach to mobile permissions and to treat microphone access as a sensitive permission that warrants careful justification before approval.