Upcoming Android release to restrict camera and microphone access

Android users can currently only either refuse or agree to the general access to their phone's microphone and camera, without the option of fine-tuning the settings. There's no way, for example, to only grant access when the app is actively being used. — dpa

The next version of Android is to restrict access to the microphone and camera of the device for apps that are running in the background, according to a report from the Android developer forum XDA Developers. The goal is to protect the privacy of users from snooping apps.

Android users can currently only either refuse or agree to the general access to their phone's microphone and camera, without the option of fine-tuning the settings. There's no way, for example, to only grant access when the app is actively being used.

Still, it's always worth checking the smartphone's settings menu to review the current permissions (Android 6 and above). Under "Applications", then "Applications Manager" you can grant or restrict access rights to apps.

Additional details on the release of the forthcoming Android 9, or Android P, are expected in May at Google's developer conference I/O. — dpa