California High Court Bans All Secretly Recorded Calls

The California Supreme Court ruled last week that no one, even those outside the state, may record a phone call with a person in California without their knowledge.

California law requires all callers to inform the other party before taping a call with a California resident.

Two California residents filed suit against Salomon Smith Barney (now Smith Barney) for secretly recording their calls made from Atlanta in 1998. Georgia law allows such calls.

The decision was unanimous, but no damages were awarded.

11 states requires consent before a telephone conversation may be recorded.