People may wish to record their phone calls to help their memory, get back at cold callers, or feel safer when they are on a call with an unknown number. If you wish to record your phone calls, you should be able to do so safely and securely, which complies with any relevant GDPR laws. However, with online information recording being unclear and quite confusing, what are the legalities around recording phone calls now in the UK?
We are familiar with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), a set of privacy and security laws enacted in 2018. With the growing concern around data and how private and public entities use it, GDPR laws help provide clarification on what is and isn’t legal around all kinds of data collection.
Laws for individuals
According to GDPR, it is 100% legal to record your personal phone calls in the UK. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) is the main regulatory act which legislates for the recording of calls. For individuals, there are no UK laws prohibiting the recording of calls as long as they are strictly for personal use and recording. This means you can record your phone calls to your heart's content. As is with most forms of data collection, there is no issue recording the call; it is the storing of that information or what you do with it that matters. The act becomes illegal when you hand over a recording to a third party without the consent of the other person being recorded.
Whilst this line can be innocently crossed by accident, any phone recordings kept between yourself and another person must remain confidential between both parties. This not only protects them but you also. However, as most people record calls for their own records and protection, a GDPR issue rarely arises.
Laws for businesses
The legalities of recording calls for businesses are slightly different, as the commercial use of people’s data is highly regulated in the UK. Businesses can only record calls in the following circumstances:
- * A business transaction is happening over the phone, and the business wishes to record it so the transaction is documented.
- * The call is being recorded to ensure the conversation adheres to regulation and quality control standards.
- * If the call is crime/ security related.
Record calls with ease
Recording your personal calls has many advantages, like ensuring you collect important information, remembering dates, business meetings and so on. With a general increase in phishing and fraudulent phone calls, keeping a record of your calls can help provide evidence of fraud which could prove vital in court. A handy device like the iPhone / Smartphone Mobile Call Recorder could be your next best purchase if you wish to record your calls. Pair the device with your phone using Bluetooth and capture all phone calls in high-quality MP3 format. The recording device is small and compact, easily slipping into your pocket or bag for easy access whilst on the go. This device also doubles as a digital voice recorder, allowing you to keep voice notes from work, lectures or day-to-day conversations.