Data Protection & Freedom of Information Office

Recording conversations

Under data protection legislation, an audio or video recording of a conversation where any individual can be identified from the recording and/or the conversation is the personal data of that individual.

• You must have an appropriate lawful basis for recording the conversation and individuals must be aware that they are being recorded.
• Consent will likely be the most relevant lawful basis for processing.

If an individual does not know in advance that his or her conversation is being recorded and a lawful basis for processing has not been identified, then that individual's rights to fair and lawful processing will be breached.