Recording Laws & Consent
Recording laws vary depending on where you are, who is being recorded, and whether the conversation is private, public, in-person, by phone, or online. Rewind does not decide which laws apply to you.
Last reviewed May 4, 2026
Rewind is not a legality detector.
Rewind cannot determine whether a specific recording is legal, which laws apply, whether everyone has consented, or whether a conversation has special restrictions. You are responsible for using Rewind lawfully.
This page does not ask for your location, infer your jurisdiction, or provide permission to record.
Key idea
Recording-law summaries often describe one-party and all-party consent rules. Those labels are starting points, not permission to record. Rules can change depending on the type of conversation, the location, and whether participants reasonably expect privacy.
Different rules may apply to in-person conversations, phone calls, video calls, public spaces, private spaces, schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings.
Some rules may also affect keeping, sharing, publishing, or otherwise using a recording after it is made.
Consent-first use
- Before starting Rewind in a conversation, tell people recording may be active.
- Ask for clear permission from everyone involved before recording, saving, or sharing.
- Stop recording and do not save or share a clip if someone objects or you are unsure.
Where consent may matter
Consent questions can come up in ordinary situations, especially when a conversation is private or includes sensitive information.
- Private conversations
- Phone or video calls
- Classrooms
- Workplaces
- Healthcare appointments
- Conversations across state or national borders
Different locations
If people in a conversation are in different states or countries, more than one law may apply. Do not assume the rule where you are standing is the only rule that matters. Get consent from everyone before recording.
Do not assume Rewind, your device, or your current location can tell you which rule applies. The context of the conversation can matter.
Learn more
These resources are provided for general awareness. They are not a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney. State summaries are useful starting points, but you should verify current law in the official statute or with qualified counsel.
- Reporters Committee: Reporter's Recording Guide
State-by-state summaries of laws governing recording phone calls and in-person conversations.
- Reporters Committee: Introduction to the Recording Guide
Overview of consent requirements, privacy expectations, penalties, and special circumstances.
- Justia: 50-state recording laws survey
A state-by-state survey that links to state statutes and summarizes phone-call and conversation recording rules.
- Cornell LII: state legal materials
A directory of state constitutions, statutes, regulations, and court materials for the 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories.
- State legislative websites directory
Links to official state legislature websites where current bills, statutes, and legislative materials may be available.
- Cornell LII: federal wiretap statute
Text of 18 U.S.C. Section 2511, the federal statute often referenced in U.S. recording-law discussions.
- Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Apple's guidance on developer responsibility for legal requirements and privacy practices.
- Apple User Privacy and Data Use
Apple's developer guidance for permission, privacy, and data-use expectations.
Disclaimer
This information is for general awareness only and is not legal advice. Laws may change, and how they apply can depend on specific facts.
If you need legal guidance, consult a qualified attorney before recording.