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EspañolRecording a meeting: what the law asks, and how to tell people
Before you record, tell everyone in the meeting, and ask for their consent where the law requires it. Here is what the law says, and words you can use.
By Therese AnhammerUpdated Oct. 16, 2026
What the law says
The rules differ from country to country, and in the United States from state to state. Many let you record a conversation you take part in yourself; others require everyone to agree first.
In the United States, federal law lets a person who takes part in a conversation record it, unless the recording is made to commit a crime or another wrong (18 U.S.C. § 2511(2)(d)). Some states go further: in Washington, everyone in a private conversation must agree before it is recorded (RCW 9.73.030).
In Europe, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Spain let a person who takes part in a conversation record it. In Germany, it is an offence to record words someone speaks in private without their permission, even in a conversation you take part in yourself. In France it is an offence to record private words without consent, and consent is presumed when the recording is made openly and nobody objects. The versions of this page in those languages say more.
Wherever you are, one habit works: tell everyone before you start, and do not record anyone who says no.
Read the law: 18 U.S.C. § 2511, RCW 9.73.030
At work, data protection law applies too
In the EU, the EEA and the United Kingdom, a recording of people talking is personal data.
When you record at work, your organisation usually decides why and how, and is responsible for the recording under data protection law: it needs a lawful basis to record, and must tell people what is recorded, why, and for how long it is kept.
Many workplaces have their own rules for recording meetings. Follow them, and if you are unsure, ask whoever looks after data protection where you work.
How to tell people
In the invitation
I'll record this meeting so I can write up the notes. The recording stays on my computer. If you'd rather not be recorded, let me know before we start.
At the start of the meeting
Before we start: I'm recording this meeting for my notes. Is that OK with everyone?
If someone says no
Then do not record. Take your notes by hand instead.
Prokoll asks you to tell people
The first time you record, Prokoll asks you to tell everyone, and a reminder with a notice you can copy stays under the record button.
This is not legal advice
This page describes the main rules in plain words. They depend on the situation, and they change. You are responsible for what you record and how you use it; if you are unsure, ask a lawyer or whoever looks after data protection where you work.