Recording a Conversation

A person with no right or authority who taps a telephone line, or by any electronic or mechanical means listens to, records or intercepts a conversation, commits a serious misdemeanor. The section does not reach a sender or recipient recording the message, or a person openly present and taking part in or listening to the conversation.

• Iowa Code § 727.8StatuteElectronic and mechanical eavesdroppingOpens legis.iowa.gov ↗

Willfully intercepting a wire, oral or electronic communication is a class D felony, and so is disclosing or using its contents knowing they came from an unlawful interception. A person who is a party to the communication, or who has the prior consent of one party, may intercept it, unless the purpose is a criminal or tortious act.

• Iowa Code § 808B.2StatuteUnlawful acts — penaltyOpens legis.iowa.gov ↗

A video or audio recording device placed outside a person's own dwelling, not in a shared hallway, on property the person owns or leases, to prove or prevent criminal activity, is outside the eavesdropping section.

• Iowa Code § 727.8StatuteElectronic and mechanical eavesdroppingOpens legis.iowa.gov ↗