diff --git a/telephony/java/android/telephony/SubscriptionInfo.java b/telephony/java/android/telephony/SubscriptionInfo.java
index a6c5c3ba932bf..35464340550b6 100644
--- a/telephony/java/android/telephony/SubscriptionInfo.java
+++ b/telephony/java/android/telephony/SubscriptionInfo.java
@@ -449,12 +449,20 @@ public class SubscriptionInfo implements Parcelable {
     }
 
     /**
-     * @return the number of this subscription.
+     * @return the number of this subscription if the calling app has been granted the
+     * READ_PHONE_NUMBERS permission, or an empty string otherwise
      */
     public String getNumber() {
         return mNumber;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * @hide
+     */
+    public void clearNumber() {
+        mNumber = "";
+    }
+
     /**
      * @return the data roaming state for this subscription, either
      * {@link SubscriptionManager#DATA_ROAMING_ENABLE} or {@link SubscriptionManager#DATA_ROAMING_DISABLE}.