Earlier today Sony publicly released the PS4 Firmware 8.00 Update, and shortly after many users reported receiving a PS4 notification on PlayStation Party Chat recordings that according to Sony is intended when chatting with a PS5 user as part of their upcoming 'voice chat recording for moderation' functionality. 
This comes following the previous PS5 AI Voice Assistance and PS5 Controller Built-in Microphone rumors, with Sony's current stance being that although other users can record PS4 Party Chats Sony as a company doesn't.
However, many may recall last year when it was discovered that drug trafficking exchanges were taking place via PlayStation Network's in-game voice chat and messaging system and the FBI Requested User Data from Sony including in-game audio recordings... although the jury is still out if they were actually archived and supplied to the Feds or not.
Here's more on today's PlayStation 4 notification from Content Communications Senior Director Sid Shuman, to quote:
UPDATE: Following this update, users are seeing a notification about Party Safety and that voice chats in parties may be recorded. Voice chat recording for moderation is a feature that will be available on PS5 when it launches, and will enable users to record their voice chats on PS5 and submit them for moderation review.
The pop up youâre seeing on PS4 right now is to let you know that when you participate in a chat with a PS5 user (post-launch), they may submit those recordings from their PS5 console to SIE.
Below is their original post, as follows:
Our latest system software update for PlayStation 4, version 8.00, is launching today globally. This update includes changes to the existing Party and Messages features, new avatars, updated parental controls and more.
Here are some of the key features in this update:
Updates to Party and Messages
Following this update, Party and Messages will be more tightly linked together and you will see changes to the UI. Both apps will now use the same âGroupsâ of players for Party voice chats and message exchanges, instead of having different groups setup across the two apps. So now you can start a Party chat or send a message to the group youâve previously chatted with across PS4, as well as PS5 when it launches.
New Avatars
Weâre expanding the collection of pre-set avatars for players to showcase on their Profile. An array of new avatars from your favorite games will be available, including Bloodborne, Journey, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, The Last of Us Part II, The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4: A Thiefâs End and many more.
Mute all Mics from Quick Menu
Weâve added an option to âMute all Microphonesâ in the Quick Menu, so you can easily mute your mics while gaming.
Simplified and more flexible Parental Controls
Under Parental Controls, weâre combining the âCommunicating with Other Playersâ and âViewing Content Created by other Playersâ into one setting â âCommunication and User Generated Contentâ- to cover both areas of communication and UGC sharing. This offers a simpler setting thatâs easier for parents to understand and apply to their children.
In addition, children can send a request to their parents to use communications features in specific games. When a child sends this request, the parent will receive an email notification and can choose to make an exception for that game and allow the child to use its communications and UGC features. This will provide more flexibility to both parents and children.
Enhanced 2-Step Verification
The 2-Step Verification (2SV) feature on PS4 will be enhanced to support third party authenticator apps as an option during the activation flow and 2SV sign-in across PS4, mobile and web.
Removal of Event Creation and Private Community Creation
After 8.00, you will no longer be able to create Events or access existing Events created by other users.
Weâre also removing the ability to create private Communities under the Community app on PS4. If you already have existing private Communities, you can continue to access them.
Updates to Remote Play App on Mobile and PC
At the same time as 8.00, the existing PS4 Remote Play app on mobile (iOS/Android), Windows PC and Mac, will change its name to PS Remote Play, and the option to connect to PS5 will be added. Youâll need to sign in to PSN from your PS5 to be able to access the feature, so sit tight until PS5 launches this November!
As a reminder, a PS4 system with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended to download the update.
This comes following the previous PS5 AI Voice Assistance and PS5 Controller Built-in Microphone rumors, with Sony's current stance being that although other users can record PS4 Party Chats Sony as a company doesn't.
However, many may recall last year when it was discovered that drug trafficking exchanges were taking place via PlayStation Network's in-game voice chat and messaging system and the FBI Requested User Data from Sony including in-game audio recordings... although the jury is still out if they were actually archived and supplied to the Feds or not.
Here's more on today's PlayStation 4 notification from Content Communications Senior Director Sid Shuman, to quote:
UPDATE: Following this update, users are seeing a notification about Party Safety and that voice chats in parties may be recorded. Voice chat recording for moderation is a feature that will be available on PS5 when it launches, and will enable users to record their voice chats on PS5 and submit them for moderation review.The pop up youâre seeing on PS4 right now is to let you know that when you participate in a chat with a PS5 user (post-launch), they may submit those recordings from their PS5 console to SIE.
Below is their original post, as follows:
Our latest system software update for PlayStation 4, version 8.00, is launching today globally. This update includes changes to the existing Party and Messages features, new avatars, updated parental controls and more.
Here are some of the key features in this update:
Updates to Party and Messages
Following this update, Party and Messages will be more tightly linked together and you will see changes to the UI. Both apps will now use the same âGroupsâ of players for Party voice chats and message exchanges, instead of having different groups setup across the two apps. So now you can start a Party chat or send a message to the group youâve previously chatted with across PS4, as well as PS5 when it launches.
New Avatars
Weâre expanding the collection of pre-set avatars for players to showcase on their Profile. An array of new avatars from your favorite games will be available, including Bloodborne, Journey, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, The Last of Us Part II, The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4: A Thiefâs End and many more.
Mute all Mics from Quick Menu
Weâve added an option to âMute all Microphonesâ in the Quick Menu, so you can easily mute your mics while gaming.
Simplified and more flexible Parental Controls
Under Parental Controls, weâre combining the âCommunicating with Other Playersâ and âViewing Content Created by other Playersâ into one setting â âCommunication and User Generated Contentâ- to cover both areas of communication and UGC sharing. This offers a simpler setting thatâs easier for parents to understand and apply to their children.
In addition, children can send a request to their parents to use communications features in specific games. When a child sends this request, the parent will receive an email notification and can choose to make an exception for that game and allow the child to use its communications and UGC features. This will provide more flexibility to both parents and children.
Enhanced 2-Step Verification
The 2-Step Verification (2SV) feature on PS4 will be enhanced to support third party authenticator apps as an option during the activation flow and 2SV sign-in across PS4, mobile and web.
Removal of Event Creation and Private Community Creation
After 8.00, you will no longer be able to create Events or access existing Events created by other users.
Weâre also removing the ability to create private Communities under the Community app on PS4. If you already have existing private Communities, you can continue to access them.
Updates to Remote Play App on Mobile and PC
At the same time as 8.00, the existing PS4 Remote Play app on mobile (iOS/Android), Windows PC and Mac, will change its name to PS Remote Play, and the option to connect to PS5 will be added. Youâll need to sign in to PSN from your PS5 to be able to access the feature, so sit tight until PS5 launches this November!
As a reminder, a PS4 system with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended to download the update.
