[Terabitten]

Thanks, Terebitten! I couldn't help but think of the tapes of Linda Tripp and Lewinsky but I think the problem there was a state law in Maryland...I think

The law in Georgia (as written in the Columbus, GA phone book) says "As a general rule, telephone conversations may only be recorded if either (1) all parties to the telephone conversation have given their prior consent.... or (2) a distinctive recorder tone that is repaeated at intervals of approximately fifteen seconds is utilized...."

So, I think it varies state-to-state. I can't imagine why it's required to have the other person's consent to record my own damn phone conversations, but that's what it says.

[hummingbird]

Thanks...I just looked up the "Recording Two-Way Telephone Conversations" and "Unlawful Wiretapping" in a Texas phonebook.

It states:

If your telephone conversation is being recorded, one of these conditions must exist:

1a. All parties being recorded must hear a beep or distinctive recorder tone approximately every 15 seconds, or all parties to the telephone conversation must give their prior consent to the recording of the conversation.

1b. The prior consent must be obtained in writing or be part of and obtained at the start of the recording, or

2. In lieu of 1b, the recording party can give verbal notification in a clear, unambiguous manner, which is recorded at the beginning as a part of the call.

Under certain restrictions, exemptions to these provisions exist for commercial broadcast licensees, emergency reporting systems and law enforcement authorities.


Unlawful Wiretapping

It is a crime under federal and state laws to wiretap or otherwise intercept a telephone call unless the consent of one or both of the parties actually participating in the call has been obtained. (The exceptions are properly authorized law enforcement offices acting under court order, according to state and federal law.) The penalty for illegal wire-tapping can be a fine, imprisonment, or both.

How do you think it works if the two parties are in different states that have conflicting regulations?