Hundreds of smartphone apps are monitoring users through their microphones

While Alphonso hasn’t revealed the names of these apps, Pool 3D, Beer Pong: Trickshot, Real Bowling Strike 10 Pin and Honey Quest all feature the technology.

Oh look, they're all shitty games that hook people like gambling sites. Whoever would have thought!

Article from 2018. Not worth recycling. Mostly FUD.

PLEASE SKIM THE ARTICLE BEFORE COMMENTING

Here's the part that most people seemed to miss:

With your permission provided at the time of downloading the app, the ACR software receives short duration audio samples from the microphone on your device.

The apps need permission to the microphone for that and in background it would drain the battery and constantly show the microphone is accessed unless you are using an old android version. It is likely easy though to eavesdrop when the app is opened and using microphone is an expected functionality, and to pick up keywords and the sounds emitted from other sources to better know location and social graphs without GPS access.

Help, I installed a microphone app on my phone and it's working as a microphone, what should I do?