Microphone Access: The Permission You Gave Every App
Open your phone's app permissions list and count how many apps have microphone access. On most Indian users' phones, the number is between eight and fifteen, and at least half of those apps have no reason to ever record audio. Shopping apps, utility apps, games. The microphone permission exists for voice calls and voice search. Everything else is optional at best, and you can revoke it without breaking the app's core function. On Android: Settings -> Privacy -> Permission Manager -> Microphone. On iOS: Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Microphone. Go through the list. Toggle off anything that isn't a calling or recording app. If an app stops working without it, you'll know immediately, and then you can decide whether that tradeoff is worth it.
