Our covert cameras DO NOT have microphones.

Our non-covert cameras may have microphones depending on the model.

In general, most video only recordings are legal weather you inform the persons you are recording them or not.

Recording audio without the persons permission is almost always illegal, that's why our covert cameras don't have microphones.

If your situation requires audio recording and you will be using the equipment in a legal manner, there are wired and wireless microphones available for purchase at any Radio Shack that may be used with any of our cameras and other equipment. These will function much better that the standard "built-in" microphones that are found in other cameras.

How can you know for sure if it's ok to record video or audio in your situation?

Always check with an attorney before recording to make sure it is legal where you live.

Surreptitious recording laws are separated into different categories for video and audio recording.

Most video recordings are legal with or without consent.

There are very few laws which prohibit video recording of any kind, but there are laws in some areas dealing with areas of expected privacy. These include areas such as bathrooms, locker rooms, changing/dressing rooms, adult bedrooms, and other areas where a person should expect a high level of personal privacy.

The majority of the laws dealing with video recording privacy issues tend to allow surreptitious recording and monitoring of video activity under most circumstances without notification of any of the parties involved.

So far, the courts have allowed video recordings of nannies, elder care employees, and other types of video recordings made with covert cameras without the subjects consent.

Most audio recordings without consent of one or all parties are illegal.

Recording audio is very different from video, there are definite federal and state laws prohibiting surreptitious recording and monitoring of audio conversations. These laws are taken very seriously by authorities and failure to abide by them could result in severe consequences.

There are two types of defined recording situations for audio recording. They are usually referred to as "One Party Consent" and "Two Party Consent".

"One Party Consent" means that only the person doing the recording has to give consent and does not have to notify the other party or parties that the conversation is being recorded.

"Two Party Consent" means the person recording the conversation must notify all of the other parties that the recording is taking place and they must consent to the recording.

Federal Law requires "One Party Consent" for audio recording.

Here is a list of state requirements regarding audio consent:

Here is a list of state requirements regarding audio consent:

Note: Laws change constantly, please check your states current laws before engaging in recording.

If you know of a change or error, please inform us