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From: smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Telephone Rate Hike - Pacific Bell
Message-ID: <1033@ulysses.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 8-Aug-85 13:30:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: ulysses.1033
Posted: Thu Aug  8 13:30:16 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Aug-85 05:17:07 EDT
References: <1845@amdahl.UUCP> <69600027@hp-pcd.UUCP> <10892@rochester.UUCP> <474@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 21

> > If I remember correctly, such a device is also quite illegal.  I
> > believe that any device that records phone conversations is supposed to
> > emit a periodic "beep" to let people know they are being recorded.  I'm
> > not sure if this is just true of most states, or if it is true
> > everywhere except the District of Columbia :-)... (or maybe) :-(.
> 
> Not true.  It is illegal to tape a call with out knowledge of the parties.
> In some cases, it doesn't need to be both parties.  The beep is not required,
> but is a standard way of indicating to both sides that the conversation
> is being recorded.  My insurance company records every incoming call
> (they tell you this) without a beep, and most radio stations to not beep
> over telephone interviews.  The standard policy is to ask if you can
> record the conversation, then turn on the recorder, and then ask again
> so you have a recorded copy of the acknowledgement.
> 
> -Ron

This very much depends on local state laws and phone company tarriffs.
In some states -- Florida, for one -- no calls may be taped without the
consent of all parties.  In other states, only one party need consent.
And the phone company may have its own rules.