Posted on 06/20/2008 6:41:07 PM PDT by marktwain
There is a considerable demand for a feature on cell phones that would record conversations. Given today's technology and cheap memory, it would be very easy. Moreover, It would be legal in the approximately 37 states and the Federal government that allow recording of conversations when a person involved in the conversation approves of it.
It would be an excellent tool for recording conversations with "customer service" who record us all the time, and for any official or contractual conversations where matters of law might be involved.
Manufacturers of cell phones seem to have gone to considerable lengths to insure that recording is difficult. It is even difficult to hook your cell phone up to an answering machine if you wish to have longer recorded messages than your voice mail allows.
There are now at least two companies that sell services that allow you to record all of your cell phone or regular phone conversations. The recordings are digital and can be accessed over the net, but they cost from 15 cents to 37 cents per minute, with monthly fees as well.
Here is a link to one of them:
http://www.callrecordercard.net/card_details.php
I ask for knowlegable FR denizens to offer rational explanations. Perhaps liability law? That seems unlikely to me, as plenty of recording technology already exists, and we don't see recorder companies being sued.
I have a great respect for the expertise that exists on Freerepublic.
Thank you for your help on this irritating issue.
Hey, wouldn’t their disclaimer of ‘This phone call may be recorded” count as a disclaimer?
Yes, if they give a disclaimer that the call is being recorded, they obviously have no objection to it being recorded, and understand that it may be.
>they obviously have no objection to it being recorded
... so long as they can destroy it at will if it proves them liable for something.
Why not just ask the NSA to email you the mp3 of your call? :)
Each state has different recording laws. In my state all parties have to agree to being recorded. It would be a legal nightmare.
DK
“Each state has different recording laws. In my state all parties have to agree to being recorded. It would be a legal nightmare”
Very wise also.....about every RF emission in the country is recorded somewhere. Thank goodness they do not have the man or computing power to analyze it all.
Have you ever tried it? I have, - both times when the phone jockey was informed that both parties, not just them would be recording they terminated the call. Its worth it just to hear them squirm.
As we have already lost most of our privacy in this country, we should at least be able to record our interactions as much as the government can.
All 911 calls are recorded. Many government offices record all calls. I just want the ability to have my own record of what was said.
Radio Shack sells adapters to connect your headphone jack to a tape recorder.
http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032087&cp=2032052.2032075.2032076
Uh, legal reasons? Not every state has single-party consent in its laws.
“Each state has different recording laws. In my state all parties have to agree to being recorded. It would be a legal nightmare”
For who? It would be optional, and people can record conversations now. You could easily give an option to note that the call was being recorded.<<
Probably not for you, you sound like you can be aware of the rules. I received a call this month where the caller told me at the end of the call it was being recorded, I advised them it was illegal to record me at the beginning with out advising me, they replied it was according to their screen.
My only hope was INTERPOL intervening in India.
LOL
DK
“Radio Shack sells adapters to connect your headphone jack to a tape recorder.”
I seem to get better service than I expected.
Lots of times when someone is about to give me details that are important, I will ask if they mind if I tape the call because I don’t have a pencil handy. I have never had anyone say no.
It is illegal to record at all in some states.
In other states you have to inform the other side you are recording and they have to say they are OK.
In some states you can record you head off.
The phones often offer a voice message ability, but for legal reasons stay out of the conversation recording business.
It’s illegal to use telephone recording devices (that aren’t dual use) in several US states, (and several countries) without all parties giving consent.
So while anyone using VOIP through a PC can record their calls using some free or very cheap software, it’s technically illegal to specific single use phone recording devices in NJ.
2. It probably is not a feature that many people desire, according to market surveys.
3. Legal entangelments.
the same reason the banks wants to clear checks you write overnight, but hold the ones you deposit for varying lengths of time, up to over a week.
but everybody “desires” a camera...on their phone?
It is not illegal, though its use may be illegal in certain circumstances in some states. As I have looked a little bit for an option, it even appears that cell phone manufacturers have deliberately made their software on PDA’s resistant to this feature.
Tell it to Linda Tripp.
It’s illegal in many places. At least it’s illegal to do it without the consent of the other person.
This is news? Radio Shack has sold telephone recording gear since the late 1970s.
Be sure you check your state law carefully. The law varies widely from state-to-state.
For example, it is legal in MN to record a conversation if at least one party is aware of it.
In FL it is a felony unless all parties are aware. Video without sound, however, is legal.
Linda Tripp got into trouble recording Monica’s girltalk about Bill Clinton because Monica called her from DC (legal) but Tripp received the call on her phone in MD (illegal).
I want a Tazer with a digital camera.
No reason...
Most pocket PCs and PDAs have a record button. You can insert a cheap 1GB SD card into a Dell Axim (for example) and put it in your pocket and it will record for hours.
If you record an incrimnating conversation on your cellphone you’ll have to give the phone to the police. With a pocket PC you can just eject SD card and hand it to them. Not that I’ve ever done such a thing, perish the thought :-).
No reason..."
Mosh Pit + Well-Concealed Tazer = Hours of Fun
“Note, the capability already exists, and it is not illegal.”
Tell it to Linda Tripp.
FWIW Although I have never used it except to test it with a family member for the fun of it, my Nokia 6126 has the capability to record a conversation on the phone itself. I make the call, hit options, and then “record.” I figured it was pretty standard these days given what all they (cell phones) are capable of.
Best Regards
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