Why is it necessary to have access to my devices microphone?

[HHMW]

Most recently, square refused to allow swipe payments unless I gave permission to my devices microphone and location status. Why is it necessary to have access to my devices microphone? I don't feel comfortable being RECORDED!

[RHatch]

You are not being recorded,  When you plug the Swiper into the headphone jack it needs the microphone connection in the Jack to send the card data.  If you don't give it permission it can't communicate.   Location service is there to tag the sale for verification.  Just another way to prove the sale is legit.  

[rwhiddon]

I'm using the contactless reader with an iPhone 11 that doesn't even have a headphone jack. The app still insists on having access to my microphone before I can do anything. This seems totally unnecessary. Is there any technical reason this would be needed?

[MayaP]

Hello @rwhiddon,

Thank you for reaching out, and honestly, this is a good inquiry. When you use the Contactless reader you're right it doesn't require the microphone but I think within our application we have it set up to automatically ask for that setting to be implemented regardless of the hardware. As @RHatch mentioned above you are not being recorded but I do understand how it is a bit annoying. I am happy to pass this feedback along to our team! 

[rwhiddon]

Thank you. Please do pass this along to the team. I try to keep app privileges to the minimum necessary (especially with regard to the camera and microphone). And the microphone is only really needed if one is using the headphone jack for the magnetic scanner.