Legality of tape recording public conversations

If we go back to the secret bedroom recording example, everyone in the room would need to consent to your recording if you were in one of the states listed above. A closed-off bedroom in a private home is a reasonable place to expect privacy, so taping there can be risky, even with the power of one-party consent. If there was a party being thrown in that house, however, things could be a little different. Litigator Deborah C. Logan explains :. Whether one has a reasonable expectation of privacy in a given situation depends upon the context: Was the conversation in a public or private location?

When Is It Legal to Use a Listening Device in Queensland?

Did the individual being recorded treat the subject matter as private? A person who is bragging at a party about cheating a friend in a business deal cannot later object to the introduction of a recording of this admission as evidence in a lawsuit filed by his ex-friend.

Navigation menu

As you can see, public locations open things up a tad. Public places are almost always safe, but the definition of public place can get stretched sometimes. Generally speaking, you have the right to record video in all public spaces without need of consent. A public space is defined as anywhere any member of the public can legally access, so public transit facilities, parks, streets, etc.

Recording video on private property, though, is up to the discretion of the property owner, private security, or police, but secret video recordings are illegal on all private property in some states, like California. Even in one-party states, recording video like that is dubious at best.

Is it illegal to record a conversation in secret?

You do, however, have the right to record video and audio of police officers or public officials performing official duties if they are in public places. That said, you may only do so as long as you are not interfering with those activities or violating other laws in the process.


  • obtain background info for free!
  • Using a Video Recorder (Including Cell Phones) With Audio Capacity;
  • Is it illegal to record a conversation in secret?;
  • alimony florida common law marriage!
  • 3 digit first number phone search!

If you get busted secretly recording conversations, you could face jail time, fines, or even be sued. Getting busted in California Cal. Each of the states and territories of Australia have different laws governing the recording of private conversations.

In Queensland, the Invasion of Privacy Act applies in respect of listening devices used for the purposes of recording private conversations. Essentially the Act provides that it is permissible to use a concealed listening device for the purposes of recording a private conversation, provided that the person recording that conversation is a party to the same.

Privacy - Legal Aid Queensland

It is, however, illegal to otherwise intentionally record a conversation without the parties consent. Certain exceptions apply in respect of the use of such devices by the police and others employed by the Commonwealth Government as for example customs officials. Pursuant to the Telecommunication Interception and Access Act CTH it is an offence to listen to or tape a telephone conversation by means of a listening device without the knowledge of the person making the communication.

This prohibition only applies in respect of the interception of the electromagnetic signal and does not apply after the communication has been transformed into audible sound.


  • Is It Legal To Record A Person In North Carolina?.
  • 1987 chevy tahoe vin check!
  • death records stl mo 1998!
  • public safety 48 channel voice recorders!