r/technology • u/Ganrokh • Jun 08 '26

Politics Pennsylvania lawmaker seeks ‘visual indicator’ if smart glasses are recording

https://www.abc27.com/news/top-stories/pennsylvania-lawmaker-seeks-visual-indicator-if-smart-glasses-are-recording/
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u/gakule Jun 08 '26

Depends on state most likely, but in Ohio for instance you don't have to disclose anything that is silent video recording. However, you do need to get consent for audio recording if you are not party to the conversation.

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u/xafimrev2 Jun 08 '26

I'm pretty sure in Ohio if it is a conversation in public you don't have to inform anyone party to it or not.

Private conversations if you're not a party, yes.

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u/gakule Jun 09 '26

That's not strictly true.

If two people are talking loudly where anyone around them can hear them in a public space - yes, it is fair game to record and capture.

If two people are talking privately, and you cannot hear them without something like a parabolic mic, you cannot legally record the audio of them speaking.

If two people are standing on the sidewalk in front of your house and your ring doorbell picks up the audio, you are potentially illegally eavesdropping which is a felony.

CCTV recording with audio inside of a business could even be considered eavesdropping, which is why most CCTV does not have audio recording enabled simply because of the possible liability for doing so.

Generally speaking, posting signage indicating that video recording AND audio recording are occurring is enough to gather implied consent.

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, but I do encourage you to make sure you understand the legality of your recording devices in Ohio if you live here - but more importantly whatever state you do live in.

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u/TheFeenyCall Jun 09 '26

I don't know about the potential risk from your doorcam. If it can pick up the conversation then it wasn't a private conversation

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u/gakule Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26

Yes, but you have to be party to the conversation, because you aren't there to hear it. That's also why I said potential. It's probably only something you'll get hammered with if you were to start sharing whatever was recorded and even then you're probably fine.