Follow-up of https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/117486314 that reached the limit of 1000 comments, with no answer from Google in 3 months. This is ridiculous, and will drive power users away from your platform.

Original post:

I've noticed that there are new restrictions that will come about call-log and SMS :
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2018/10/providing-safe-and-secure-experience.html
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9047303
https://9to5google.com/2018/10/08/play-store-policy-prevent-leaks/
https://www.xda-developers.com/google-play-developer-policy-call-log-sms/

While this might protect users who for some reason give permissions to apps that shouldn't request them, it also harms a lot of apps that use those permissions in ways that aren't mentioned on the websites, and can never fit into a table, because of so many possible cases.

For example, automated tools apps, like Tasker. Why should it be restricted now and have to be a Phone/SMS app ? It doesn't make sense.
Another example is CallerID apps. On the table, it's mentioned that such an app is only allowed to use "READ_CALL_LOG" permission, but this is really not enough. Such apps also monitor incoming and outgoing calls, to show who it is, so "PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS" is also required.

And I'm sure there are other cases too.

Please stop this hunt of apps usage of permissions. Android is supposed to be free of these things.

If you wish developers to have a good reason, just force them to explain the reason for each permission usage in the app description, and then decide if it's legitimate or not.

Each case and its own. Rules shouldn't exist so broadly .

Issue 122786936

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