Call recording and your answering service: consent, disclosure and what to do
What small businesses should know before recording answering-service calls: one-party vs all-party consent states, disclosure, and how Elavo Answer handles it.
Updated October 17, 2026
In the US, some states allow recording with one party's consent and others require every party's consent, so the safe practice is to disclose recording at the start of every call. Elavo Answer transcribes calls by default and keeps no audio; recording is opt-in, and when it is on the caller hears a disclosure before the greeting. Confirm your own state's rules with your attorney; this is general information, not legal advice.
One-party vs all-party
Federal law and many states require only one party to consent; a number of states (for example California, Florida, Illinois, Washington) require all parties. Interstate calls can involve the stricter rule.
Disclose and you are covered
A clear statement before the conversation ("this call may be recorded") plus the caller continuing is the standard way to obtain consent.
Do you need recordings at all?
A transcript answers most "what did they say" questions without storing audio. Record when you need it for training or disputes, not by default.
How Elavo Answer handles it
Off by default. Turn it on under Calls → Routing and every caller hears an editable disclosure first; each call gets a Listen link. The toggle carries a consent warning.