united-states privacy
How does 911 legally record calls?
<p>From my understanding, all calls to 911 in the United States are recorded. How does 911 legally record calls in states where consent to record is required?</p>

<p>From <a href="http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide" rel="noreferrer">Reporter's Recording Guide</a>:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/BSQdp.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/BSQdp.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>I know that some states where consent of all parties simply requires a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorder_warning_tone" rel="noreferrer">recorder warning tone</a>, such as the State of California:</p>

<p><a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/497058/air-transport-association-of-america-v-public-util/?" rel="noreferrer">Air Transport Association of America v. Public Utilities Commission of the State of California, Defendants, 833 F.2d 200 (9th Cir. 1987)</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>G.O. 107-B defines disapproved monitoring of telephone calls as the use of equipment which allows a third person to overhear or record a telephone conversation without any indication to the conversant parties that they are being overheard, or without allowing the conversant parties to communicate with the third person. <strong>A person wishing to listen in on a conversation without violating the regulation can provide notice by using a beep-tone warning device audible to all parties to the conversation</strong> or by announcing to the parties that the conversation is being monitored. The order requires utilities to file tariffs prohibiting monitoring unless notice is given to the parties to the conversation, or their consent is obtained. If a telephone company learns that a customer is monitoring conversations in violation of the tariff, the order requires the utility to discontinue service if the customer does not refrain from such monitoring within five days after notice from the utilities. The customer can file a complaint with the CPUC if discontinuance is threatened, and the customer's service will not be discontinued pending resolution of the complaint.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>but how the other states where consent is required and a beep isn't enough?</p>

<p>E.g. from <a href="https://www.mwl-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/LAWS-ON-RECORDING-CONVERSATIONS-CHART.pdf" rel="noreferrer">laws on recording conversations in all 50 states</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Maryland All Parties Md. Code Ann., Cts. &amp; Jud. Proc. § 10-402 (a): The Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act holds that it is unlawful to take or record a communication without the consent of all parties. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>Recording of 911 calls and the confidentiality of those recordings is often handled explicitly by statute or under the umbrella of "public record" statutes.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/confidentiality-of-911-call-recordings.aspx">http://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/confidentiality-of-911-call-recordings.aspx</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String&amp;URL=0900-0999/0934/Sections/0934.03.html">Florida Statutes section 934.03</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>It is lawful [...] for an employee of [...] an agency operating an emergency telephone number “911” system [...] to intercept and record incoming wire communications...</p>
</blockquote>

<p>About your specific Maryland example, check out the <a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gcj&amp;section=10-402&amp;ext=html&amp;session=2015RS&amp;tab=subject5">Code of Maryland, Section 10-402(c)(5)</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>It is lawful under this subtitle for an officer, employee, or agent of a governmental emergency communications center to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where the officer, agent, or employee is a party to a conversation concerning an emergency.</p>
</blockquote>
