Secretly Recording Conversations

Smartphones make it very effortless to record conversations. However, both federal and state laws limit the ability to record private conversations. If transgressed, these laws may result in both criminal and civil penalties.

The Wiretap Act

The Wiretap Act is a federal law that applies to oral, over-the-phone, and electronic communications. The law may be transgressed if you secretly record a conversation where the communicators reasonably expect privacy.

Breaking the Wiretap Act may result in five years in prison, a $500 fine, or both.

In addition to the Wiretap Act, each state specifies its criminal penalties for secret recordings.

For instance, you may spend one year in prison in California and pay a $2,500 fine.

What Is Considered an Electronic Communication?

An electronic communication under this act is virtually any data (writing, an image, or some other information) transmitted through a wire, radio, electromagnetic, or any other kind of electronic system.

This can include but is not exclusive to phone calls, emails, and other communications via the Internet.

How Does the Act Protect My Private Electronic Communications?

Essentially, it protects people using the Internet by restricting other people and the federal government from listening in on your private communications. If they listen in, the perpetrator is prohibited from disclosing the contents of the communication to anybody else.

Are There Any Exceptions to this Protection of Privacy?

There are several exceptions to this protection of privacy:

• Government officials can intercept and acquire information from electronic communications if they first get a warrant to do so
• Internet service providers (ISPs) can view electronic communications if they suspect a sender of the communications is trying to cause harm to the system

ISPs can also view electronic communication if it is essential for maintaining the continuance of service to customers.

If the communication seems to involve committing a crime, an ISP can view and disclose the transmission to the appropriate legal authorities.

Communications already readily available to the public are not protected under this law. This could pertain to chat rooms and other forums where anyone can get together and talk. Any person is entitled to view and save these types of communication.

If the individual initiating the communication consents to intercept it, the communication is not protected under the law. This can happen in the workplace, where an employment contract says the employer can monitor employee emails or when customers on the Internet sign a membership agreement.

What Is Cyberspace Law?

As the Internet continually evolves, so do the various laws that regulate the Internet. These are constantly changing to help deliver consumers and citizens with various protections connected to digital assets and online activity.

Cyberspace law typically contains various legal problems involving the communication, distribution, and transactions over the Internet and other networked devices and technologies.

Some typical issues that cyberspace law covers include:

• Domain Name Disputes: A domain name is the address of a particular website on the Internet or the URL. Many businesses use their existing business names or similar names as domain names. Some conflicts may arise as to which business or entity owns or has the right to use a particular domain name.
• Trademark Infringement: Small changes in a domain name from a similarly named site may be considered trademark infringement, especially in consumer confusion. If you already have a trademark for your business name, and the domain name is taken by someone else, you may have an actionable trademark infringement claim.
• Cybersquatting Issues: Cybersquatting happens when a party takes your designated business name or mark, registers it as a domain name, and waits for you to try to use your business name or mark as your domain name. The innocent and established business will then be moved to buy from the cybersquatter at a high price.
• Hacked Emails: Email communications move across many lines to get to their final destination. Email is generally not protected from hackers who wish to know the contents of the email. This can cause various issues regarding privacy and other concerns.

What Are E-Commerce Laws?

E-commerce generally refers to how business or transactions occur online or on a digital basis. This can include activities ranging from minor retail transactions with a small business, to contracts, up to the buying and selling of a business.

Many issues can commonly arise in the context of e-commerce in cyberspace.

These include:

• Security and Digital Signatures: Issues such as credit card security, digital signatures, and biometrics can be of concern when conducting business online.
• Contract Formation: Newer legal problems occur when forming a contract in an electric forum because it must still adhere to traditional contract laws, even though there may be differences in how contract terms are delivered and received.
• Liability of Internet Providers: Internet service providers sometimes face a penalty when Internet outages occur. This is because they can have devastating effects on contract formation, business revenue, and profits (online businesses can lose significant amounts of daily business if their Internet goes out even for a day or part of a day).

What Are Cyber Crimes?

Cyberspace law or cyberlaw also regulates cybercrimes, defined as any crime accomplished through a computer or network.

These can include crimes such as:

• Hacking and other cybersecurity issues and crimes;
• Various copyright and trade secret violations;
• Fraud and financial crimes, especially identity theft;
• Various pornography-related charges;
• Harassment, cyberbullying, or stalking (“cyberstalking”);
• Drug trafficking;
• Online terrorism activities;
• Various crimes involving invasions of privacy or breaches of confidential information

These crimes can be severe and result in harsh legal penalties, including criminal fines and possible jail or prison sentences. Some of these may result in serious federal charges.

What About Privacy Issues?

Cyberspace law also covers different privacy issues. As more and more people engage in social, economic, and political interactions online, more legal problems will continue to arise—many of these deal with violations of privacy.

In many circumstances, these issues are related to or involved in attempts to steal one’s identity or monetary assets or subject them to harmful software or internet attacks.

Such cases can involve:

• Malware: This is software that bypasses digital security measures and is used to cause damage to a computer, server, or network. This is sometimes common in a business setting as well.
• Spyware: This software or other digital mechanisms obtain information from a person’s computer, network, or servers without their consent. This can lead to the theft of confidential information, files, or accounts.
  • Web bugs are often placed on a web page or email and track a person’s views of the website, email messages, or other online activities. This can sometimes be used to learn a person’s habits or passwords.
• Phishing: This involves obtaining user names, passwords, credit cards, or bank information through targeted attacks. It can often be prosecuted as a crime. For instance, a phishing scheme may target certain groups of people, such as senior citizens.
• Pharming: This activity redirects traffic from a website to a different internet address. This can create business losses and miscellaneous other types of legal issues.
• Social engineering: Uses many tactics to trick someone into revealing confidential information. For instance, a person may pose as a military serviceman and attempt to collect donations from another person on a social media website.

Exceptions to the Federal Law

Under federal laws, a secret recording may be made when limited exceptions apply. The primary exception is that you can record a conversation when consent is provided. One of the persons involved needs to give consent.

Therefore, if the individual who makes the recording is also taking part in the conversation, then consent may be shown. Nevertheless, many states, including California, require approval from all parties.

Seeking Legal Help

If you have questions about recording conversation on an iPhone, voice recorder, or another device, you may need advice from a qualified criminal defense attorney. An attorney can assess whether state or federal laws apply to your case. If you have been charged with illegally recording another individual’s private conversation, an attorney can defend your case.