Let’s assume the incident you referred is true. It’s still not the phone microphone that’s doing it, it’s the spyware/adware/malware app you installed from play store.
Solution? Degoogle and stay away from tech giants like meta, apple, etc. Use opens source alternatives.
If you are still paranoid, Android 13 and onwards, whenever your cam/mic is being used, you can see a green microphone or camera logo on the status bar top right.
This screenshot is already in some E. A employee’s powerpoint.