--- title: Google apps requesting Record Audio & Camera Access saw big spikes YoY description: Check this blog to learn more about the rising number of apps requesting the Record Audio and Access Camera permissions in the Google Play Store. image: https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Landing_Page_Media/Report%20Covers/mobile-app-dangerous-permissions-report-h1-2021-cover.png --- [![pixalate-full-logo](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixalate_Logos/pixalate-full-logo.jpg?width=150&height=60&name=pixalate-full-logo.jpg "pixalate-full-logo")](https://www.pixalate.com) Search **Menu** ** ** ![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/pixalate-blog-bg.png) [Mobile](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/mobile) | [Rankings](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/rankings) | 2 min read # Google apps requesting Record Audio & Camera Access saw big spikes YoY [![Piotr Boiwka](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/T04HJ6UKU-U020R2VVALF-e2a0de641049-512.jpg)](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/author/piotr-boiwka) Written by [Piotr Boiwka](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/author/piotr-boiwka) Sep 29, 2021 3:27:40 PM **3 things to know** - Google Play Store app are requesting more “dangerous permissions” than ever before - Apps requesting access to the device’s Microphone increased 21% year-over-year in H1 2021 - Apps requesting access to the device’s Camera increased 13% year-over-year in H1 2021 Almost all “[dangerous permissions](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/permissions/overview)” with potentially significant privacy implications requested by apps from the Google Play Store have become more common in 2021. However, the spike of [apps requesting access](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/mobile-app-dangerous-permissions-report-h1-2021) to the device’s Microphone (for Audio Recording) and device’s Camera are particularly noteworthy. ![Most common dangerous permissions in Google Play Store](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2b8a9X7AzNbh4fdUNdqDxEflV1E3llAHfPmgtJMKw1Yk5wD2plSvqXRcW1Joz1I-L67Yvd-s2-pnXea85ICCm5oBXJEfjKOwfXVM0wwkww5xuSTqLZgONK025MgLf5Oga-Rvkuuv=s0) ## **Record Audio: Google Play Store apps requesting access to the device’s microphone rose 21% in H1 2021** The number of apps with Record Audio permission increased the most significantly in the first half of 2021, up 21% year-over-year compared to the first half of 2020. With over [374,000](https://www.pixalate.com/mobile-app-dangerous-permissions-report-h1-2021?hsCtaTracking=1e2a31f2-60b9-40e3-b7d7-59bb800bf3fc%7Ca7176605-5964-4d9c-8dd9-11e4ac19f7cd) Google Play Store apps requesting access to the device’s microphone and recording audio, it is among the most common “dangerous permissions” distinguished in the Dangerous permissions report. ![Chart Increase of apps requesting Record Audio permission in Google Play Store](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mUTNwUbCHDAH4oquISQXpTmq5ynam3tnTM-WbCwp2oWd9I0Bb7YQ8ceHLEnsGEOyGa4-MUe4A3_jijAOd2vkygFbjbMvHAwVExXjpJkqDXH47TXbwKiqITzhGlYsbOTlJj8PmSG2=s0) ## **Camera Access: Google Play Store app requesting this permission rose 13% in H1 2021** A quarter ([859,000](https://www.pixalate.com/mobile-app-dangerous-permissions-report-h1-2021?hsCtaTracking=1e2a31f2-60b9-40e3-b7d7-59bb800bf3fc%7Ca7176605-5964-4d9c-8dd9-11e4ac19f7cd)) of all [Google Play Store](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/mobile-app-dangerous-permissions-report-h1-2021) apps requested access to the camera in H1 2021. This number increased by 13% YoY, and the Camera Access was the fourth-highest rise among the nine “dangerous permissions” closely studied in the report. Of those nine, Camera Access was the third-most common “dangerous permission.” ![Chart Increase of apps requesting Camera Access permission in Google Play Store](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HARvH6gUeIeFIovnCQHtILV89JCqOHprQ_HPQkET9ji43rlczPPUT28XYAHlHt9YKG2fgpBe4gzt7Z9mf_LMYPxsxpuBkgBozhwwNSfCqrI_o6SARkQJRjfLML1dEQNrhA1ot7L7=s0) [Pixalate](https://www.pixalate.com/) will continue to monitor “[dangerous permissions](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/most-notorious-dangerous-permissions-apps-google-h1-2021)” among apps in the Google Play Store and report on the latest trends. To learn more about dangerous permissions in Google Play Store and current trends in the field, download the [H1 2021 Mobile App ‘Dangerous Permissions’ Report](https://www.pixalate.com/mobile-app-dangerous-permissions-report-h1-2021?hsCtaTracking=1e2a31f2-60b9-40e3-b7d7-59bb800bf3fc%7Ca7176605-5964-4d9c-8dd9-11e4ac19f7cd) for free. [![Download Report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2364596/a86b039b-779c-420a-ab46-94cf243fc192.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2364596/a86b039b-779c-420a-ab46-94cf243fc192) You can also [watch our webinar](https://www.pixalate.com/webinar-mobile-app-privacy-safety-update-h1-2021) on October 7, 2021, we will review this data - and other data about risk factors in the mobile in-app ecosystem — in greater detail.  **Disclaimer** *The content of this blog, and the Publisher Trust Indexes (collectively, the “Indexes”), reflect Pixalate’s opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. The Indexes examine programmatic advertising activity on mobile apps and Connected TV (CTV) apps (collectively, the “apps”). As cited in the Indexes and referenced in the Indexes’ key findings reproduced herein, the ratings and rankings in the Indexes are based on a number of metrics (e.g., “Brand Safety”) and Pixalate’s opinions regarding the relative performance of each app publisher with respect to the metrics. The data is derived from buy-side, predominantly open auction, programmatic advertising transactions, as measured by Pixalate. The Indexes examine global advertising activity across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, respectively, as well as programmatic advertising activity within discrete app categories. Any insights shared are grounded in Pixalate’s proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources in the Indexes and herein should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate’s opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees; and neither this press release nor the Indexes are intended to impugn the standing or reputation of any person, entity or app.* ### Search Blog Search ### Follow Pixalate ### Subscribe to our blog *By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use ](https://www.pixalate.com/terms)and [Privacy Policy.](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) Previous Story [← So-called ‘Dangerous Permissions’ are rising in the Google Play Store](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/dangerous-permissions-rising-google-play-h1-2021) [** ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog) Next Story [Pixalate Week in Review: September 27 - October 1, 2021 →](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/october-1-2021-weekly-update) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Mobile [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog%20Media/2026%20Covers%20and%20Images/OpenEPG%20landing%20page%20hero%20image.png) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalate-launches-openepg-1.0-analytics-to-bring-linear-tv-grade-measurement-verification-to-open-programmatic-ctv) [Mobile](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/mobile) ### [Pixalate Launches OpenEPG™ 1.0 Analytics to Bring Linear TV-Grade Measurement & Verification to Open Programmatic CTV; 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