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Google Disables 'Take a Message' on Pixel 4 and 5 After Confirming Audio Leak Bug

Pixel 4 and 5 are at end of life, so Google removed the tools as a precaution.

Overview

  • Google confirmed that the Take a Message feature could transmit background audio to callers under very specific, rare conditions.
  • The company says the issue affected only a very small subset of Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 devices based on its investigation.
  • As a safeguard, Google remotely disabled Take a Message and next-gen Call Screen on those legacy models.
  • Users had reported the microphone privacy indicator staying active and callers hearing room sounds while leaving messages.
  • Google advises using manual or automatic Call Screening and carrier voicemail, and it has not said if or when the disabled features will return.