Use of READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission in Android API 30

[chris-wickens]

Hi, our app builds are being removed from Google Play after being uploaded with the LivePerson 5.6.0 SDK included. I believe this is related to a requirement that apps targeting API level 30 need to be verified to use the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, although Google's documentation isn't very clear on this and seems to indicate the rule was only for MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE. I did manage to get Play Store to accept the build by adding the following to the Android manifest:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" tools:node="remove"/>

And the LivePerson messaging window still appears to function correctly. Can I ask what the permission is needed for and whether you intend to remove it?

Note that I did also add the following lines that were mentioned in the 5.6.0 release notes, so these permissions/features may have also been a cause of the Play Store removal:

<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.audio.pro"  android:required="false" tools:replace="required" />
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.microphone"  android:required="false" tools:replace="required" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" tools:node="remove" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.webkit.resource.AUDIO_CAPTURE" tools:node="remove" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.webkit.resource.VIDEO_CAPTURE" tools:node="remove" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS" tools:node="remove" />