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The Economist magazine not only requires Google Play Services, but also access to your microphone. There is no way to disable that.

I cannot figure out why they would need such intrusive access -- there is no "speak" feature in their app that I'm aware of.

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I've no evidence this is being used by The Economist's app - but this is "usually" the reason for this feature:

- https://www.wired.com/2016/11/block-ultrasonic-signals-didnt...

(not trying to spread FUD, endorse this practice or criticise in anyway, just trying to help the parent comment understand one potential "excuse" for an app "needing" this functionality for a non-obvious use-case.)

Thanks for the link -- that would explain why so many apps need access to the mic.

Have you checked it recently? There's no microphone permission listed: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.economis...

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