Yes, two-party consent recording is legal in France but strictly regulated under the Loi n° 78-17 (Informatique et Libertés) and the Code pénal (Art. 226-15), requiring explicit consent from all parties before recording private communications. The CNIL enforces compliance, and unauthorized recordings may incur fines up to €45,000 or imprisonment. Recent 2026 draft amendments under the Loi Sécurité Globale propose stricter penalties for non-consensual recordings in public spaces.
Key Regulations for Two-Party Consent Recording in France
- Explicit Consent Mandate: Article 226-15 of the Code pénal criminalizes recording private conversations without prior consent from all participants, with exceptions for law enforcement under judicial authorization.
- CNIL Oversight: The Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés monitors compliance, particularly for digital recordings, and may impose corrective measures for violations.
- Public vs. Private Distinction: Recordings in public spaces (e.g., streets, parks) are permissible if not deemed intrusive, but capturing private moments without consent remains prohibited under Art. 9 of the Civil Code.
Violations trigger administrative sanctions (CNIL) or criminal proceedings (courts), with aggravated penalties for recordings involving minors or sensitive personal data. Employers must also adhere to Labour Code (Art. L. 1222-4) when recording workplace communications, requiring prior employee agreement.