HELP REQUIRED: WhatsApp audio video calls permission

I am using Samsung Galaxy M52 android version 12.0 and WA version 2.22.14.74.

Everything was going smooth, one night i used my WA, dialled calls. Next morning when i dialled a call, WA won't dial any call and would require permission/access to "Phone" and generated the following message,

"To make and receive calls on WhatsApp, WhatsApp needs to know whether you are on an active call so that you carrier calls are not disturbed"

Previously my WA worked fine without having any access/permission to "Phone" but now it requires a permission. I checked a couple of Samsung phones and nowhere WA required access to "Phone" for making or receiving calls. My WA wont proceed, i.e. it won't dial a call unless "Permission" to "Phone has been granted"

I turned my android sensors off fearing that phone's security might have been compromised. When sensors were turned off, the mic won't sent any voice to other party which is obvious, but strange enough, now during phone calls and WA calls (when access is granted) the phone mic would send voice to other party despite sensors being off! The microphone won't work for voice recorder or voice notes but it works during calls, while previously it didn't work so.

No one has ever accessed my mobile physically. I did a factory reset and the problem still continues. Any idea about the problem? Whether my phone has been hacked? I wonder. Please help me.