Recording
Wis. Stat. 968.31 — a party to a conversation, or anyone with one party's consent, may record it
One party's consent. It is not unlawful in Wisconsin for a person to intercept a wire, electronic or oral communication when the person is a party to it or one of the parties has given prior consent, unless it is intercepted to commit a criminal or tortious act or another injurious act.
Otherwise a Class H felony. Intentionally intercepting a communication outside the exceptions, using a device to intercept an oral communication, or disclosing or using the contents knowing they were illegally intercepted, is a Class H felony.
A person whose communication was intercepted, disclosed or used unlawfully can sue for actual damages of at least $100 a day for each day of violation or $1,000, whichever is higher, plus punitive damages and a reasonable attorney fee.
Communications readily accessible to the general public, such as some radio transmissions, fall outside the offense.
Sources for this section (1)
- Wis. Stat. 968.31 — Interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communications prohibited
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.