Legitimate apps do use the same permission due to Google’s screwed up way of handling permissions.

Basically, apps need to access to READ_PHONE_STATE in order to know whether you’re in the middle of a phone call or not, to be able to mute sounds or notifications when you are.

This falls under the general phone permission tree, showing as wanting to make phone calls by itself. Yes, it’s stupid, but you can thank Google for that one.

Not saying you got rightfully banned though.