A recording is a record; a leak is an incident — call recordings that open only with your password
Call recordings made by politicians and their aides are stored on the phone without encryption, so a single lost phone, hack or access by someone else can leak them. When a call ends, voice-lock encrypts the recording on the device so that only people who know the password can play it.
Where do recording leaks happen?
Mostly from stored recording files. Galaxy call recordings are saved in plain form with the other party's number in the file name, and can leak through:
- a lost or stolen phone
- other apps with storage access
- an automatically backed-up cloud account
- a phone handed to someone for a moment or left unlocked
What does voice-lock protect against, and what not?
voice-lock protects stored recording files. It does not prevent interception of the call itself.
| Protects against | Does not protect against |
|---|---|
| Playing recordings without the password — even if the files are copied, they are ciphertext and cannot be heard | The original during the few minutes right after a call, before encryption finishes |
| Leaks of recordings uploaded to the cloud — the cloud holds only ciphertext | Anyone who knows the vault password |
| Audio exposure even if the server is hacked — keys never go to the server | Interception or wiretapping of the call itself |
Can several people in an office or campaign use it together?
Yes — Premium uses one vault (account) on up to 5 devices. Only devices signed in with the same Google account and vault password can open the recordings. Each device is registered, and devices can be removed in device management.
Because the devices share one vault, every linked device sees the same recording list, and everyone needs to know the vault password. To keep recordings separate per person, each person should use their own account.
If a phone is left unlocked, can the recordings be played?
No. Playing a recording always takes the vault password. A fingerprint opens only the list, so an open screen or biometric authentication alone cannot play a recording.
How do I clean up after a term or an election ends?
Take out the recordings you need with Export as original to a location you choose (Standard one at a time, Premium up to 100 at once). The screen warns first that exported files are not encrypted. Then delete the recordings; once you cancel the subscription, cloud copies are deleted after the retention period (Standard 60 days, Premium 180 days).
Is recording legal?
Recording a call you take part in is permitted. Recording a conversation between other people is illegal under Korea's Protection of Communications Secrets Act. Whether to tell the other party is a judgment for each situation.
How much does it cost?
Standard suits an individual; Premium suits an office or campaign where several people share it. Prices are shown on the Google Play purchase screen.
| Plan | Free | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encrypted recordings on this device | 50 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Cloud storage | — | 10 GB | 100 GB |
| Linked devices | This device only | 2 | 5 |
| Export as original | — | One at a time | Several at once (up to 100) |
| Cloud copies kept after cancelling | — | 60 days | 180 days |
It is Android only, and automatic detection works with Galaxy's built-in call recorder. If both the password and the 24-word recovery code are lost, no one (including the developer) can restore the recordings.
Frequently asked questions
Can several aides use it on their phones together?
Premium uses one account on up to 5 devices. Only devices signed in with the same Google account and vault password can open the recordings. Because the devices share one vault, every linked device sees the same recording list, and everyone needs to know the vault password. To keep recordings separate per person, each person should use their own account.
What if a phone is left unlocked?
Playing a recording always takes the vault password. Biometric authentication or an open screen cannot play it.
If the server is hacked, will recordings leak?
The server holds only ciphertext and keys never go to it, so the server alone cannot be used to hear the audio.
Does it also stop wiretapping of the call itself?
No. voice-lock protects stored recording files. It does not prevent call interception.
Does it work on iPhone?
It is Android only.