Telephone Recording System

A telephone recording system can be as simple as a handheld phone receiver with an analogue (non-computerized, non-digital) recorder. In such a situation, the act of recording is hard to hide. On the other hand, some telephone recording systems are so seamless that the individual being recorded would not known unless informed. For this reason, some states require that the person being recorded be informed of this fact, and many states require that the recorder emit a regular beep or other sound to serve as a reminder of the ongoing recording.

Consumers today are able to buy telephone recording systems that hook into the telephone line just as an answering machine would. Such systems, which retail from under $100, make it possible to begin recording as soon as the receiver is lifted. Twelve states require "two-party notification," meaning that both participants in a recorded conversation must be informed of the fact that they are being recorded.

In California, laws further require that the recording equipment continually emit a beeping tone so as to maintain awareness of the recording process. Sophisticated consumer recording systems can be configured in such a way as to play the beep if necessary. Digital systems are even capable of saving a recorded call in a digital audio format, as a .wav file, making it possible for a user to e-mail a recording of a conversation.

█ FURTHER READING:

PERIODICALS:

Cloud, David S., and David Rogers. "Telecom Firms Lobby for Funding of Upgrades to Ease Surveillance." Wall Street Journal. (April 5, 2000): A4.

McCarter, Kimberly M. "Tape Recording Interviews." Marketing Research 8, no. 3 (Fall 1996): 50–51.

Skoning, Gerald. "Be Careful Not to 'Tripp'." HR Magazine 43, no. 6 (May 1998): 125–130.

SEE ALSO

Domestic Intelligence
Privacy: Legal and Ethical Issues
Telephone Recording Laws
Telephone Tap Detector

Telephone Recording System

Electronic and digital information is a part of everyday communication. Recording or recovery of this information can be vital in the forensic investigation of an accident or crime, and in the identification of a victim or assailant. Telephone conversations can be easily recorded and can provide a wealth of information to a forensic scientist.

A telephone recording system can be as simple as a handheld phone receiver with an analogue (noncomputerized, non-digital) recorder. In such a situation, the act of recording is hard to hide. On the other hand, some telephone recording systems are so seamless that the individual being recorded would not know he or she was being recorded someone unless informed them. For this reason, some states require that the person being recorded be informed of this fact, and many states require that the recorder emit a regular beep or other sound to serve as a reminder of the ongoing recording.

Consumers today are able to buy telephone recording systems that hook into the telephone line just as an answering machine would. Such systems, which retail from under $100, make it possible to begin recording as soon as the receiver is lifted. Twelve states require two-party notification, meaning that both participants in a recorded conversation must be informed of the fact that they are being recorded.

Digital systems are capable of saving a recorded call in a digital audio format, as a .wav file, making it possible for a user to e-mail a recording of a conversation.

see also Tape analysis; Telephone tap detector.